The Woodlands gives attendance a high priority, and seeks the support of parents and carers to enable us to work together in order to achieve high standards of attendance and punctuality.
Where it is not possible or practicable for a student to attend school, his/her parent or carer should:
- Notify The Woodlands by telephone, text message or email as soon as it is possible on the FIRST day of any absence, detailing the reason for absence and giving an estimated return date.
- If this is not possible, due to exceptional circumstances, a note should be sent in with the pupil when they return to The Woodlands.
- If a child is persistently absent from school, appropriate medical advice should be sought, and medical evidence may be requested.
- Where possible, pre-arranged medical appointments should be arranged out of school time
- If school has not been informed by 12 noon on the first day of a child’s absence The Woodlands Attendance Officer will make every attempt to contact home
Attendance is effectively monitored and absences are followed up promptly. The Woodlands would hope that parents and carers provide up to date contact numbers and changes of address or circumstances. The Local Authority has a detailed system of recording absences, either authorised or unauthorised.
The Woodlands will provide and promote a positive atmosphere so all pupils feel safe and their presence is valued. The importance of full attendance is highlighted regularly during school meetings, with incentives for those who have improved attendance or for pupils with good attendance and full attendance.
Incentives and Rewards
The Woodlands promotes a uniform approach to monitoring and rewarding attendance throughout all Key Stages. An Attendance Officer monitors systems, ensuring concerns are addressed efficiently and incentives and rewards are in place.
Attendance of individuals along with rewards and incentives are displayed in each Key Stage on Attendance Boards.
As a result of changes to the attendance regulations being introduced by the Department for Education, from September 2013, headteachers will NO longer be able to grant pupils a leave of absence for the purpose of a family holiday during term time. Parents who breach the rules and take their children on holiday during term-time could be fined for failing to secure their child’s regular attendance at school.
Parents who fail to ensure their child’s regular attendance at school can be referred to the Education Welfare Team, who have the power to prosecute parents and fine them.