Attendance at Woodlands 

 At Woodlands we believe that regular attendance at school promotes pupils’ well-being and gives them the best chance of learning and reaching their potential. Pupils should attend school every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.

 

Good attendance is important because pupils:

  • get on better with learning and other children;

  • cope better with school routines, work and friendships;

  • find learning easier because they do not miss out;

  • are more successful moving between primary school, secondary school, higher education and employment or training;

  • are known to be safe and well by us.

 

Research shows a direct link between high attendance and doing well at school.

All children have the right to an education. We encourage 100% attendance for all pupils. 

We will:

  • tell pupils and parents the importance of being at school;

  • check that pupils are at school every day;

  • follow up and check the absence of persistent non-attenders;

  • aim for an attendance rate of at least 97%. Pupils who are under school age, in Nursery or Reception, are treated in the same way as all other children.

 

Parents/Carers:

  • by law, must ensure that their child attends school;

  • should arrange dental and doctor’s appointments out of school hours or during school holidays, whenever possible. We will ask to see appointment letters

  • make sure that their child arrives on time at 8.45 am, gates will shut just before 8:50am. Pupils arriving late into class may miss the start of lessons and feel anxious or upset.

  • should contact the school on the first day before 9.15am to say why their child is not in school.

 

Pupils should arrive and be collected from school on time:

  • if a child is collected late, after 3.15pm, there will be a charge to cover staff time for looking after your child.

  • we take the view there are no late children, only late parents/ carers;


At Woodlands we have incentives to encourage good attendance these include : 

 Celebrating the class with the highest attendance each week. A child from this class will win a box of chocolates to take home and share with the family as a reward for being in school every day.


We will also be giving a Dojo voucher to a child in infants or juniors who has a 100% attendance. A name will be pulled out of a hat and that child will receive the prize and can spend it in our Dojo Shop



Attendance Meetings

Meetings with parents/carers will take place with Mrs S Jones or Mr Duggan if a child’s attendance drops below 90%. These discussions will be supportive and will help parents to approve their child’s attendance. 

Holidays

No term time holidays will be approved by the headteacher and fines may be issued for 5 or more days of unauthorised leave. If three holidays are taken within a three year period, you may face prosecution and receive a criminal record.

 The law

Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their children are properly educated.  When your child is registered at a school, parents, carers or guardians must ensure the regular and full-time attendance of their child.  The Local Authority has the power to issue Fixed-Penalty Notices in respect of unauthorised absences.  Penalty notices can be issued to each parent and for each child.  The Penalty is £120 payable within 28 days, reducing to £60 if paid within 21 days.  (Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2004). If holiday absence is repeated, matters can increase and fines can be increased to both parents.