Attendance and Punctuality

A big thank you to all our families who take attendance and punctuality seriously. We are really grateful to you for getting your child in on time so that they can learn as much as they possibly can. Excellent attendance helps children understand subjects better and build good habits for the future. Missing school can lead to children falling behind on learning and losing social time with friends.

School doors open at 8.40am and children start learning in class from 8.40am.

Our target for the whole school attendance is 97%.

Breakfast club is open every weekday – please see our newsletter for more information.

Please note our Attendance and Punctuality Policy has been updated for September 2024 with the new DfE guidance (19th August 2024) which schools have to follow.

A child friendly version of the policy can be found here >>>INSERT LINK TO CHILD FRIENDLY POLICY

Every child has the right to attend school every day. Casual attendance and frequent absence really has a detrimental effect on children’s education and emotional development. At Bishop Martin CE Primary School everyone has their part to play in ensuring that all children attend regularly.

We want our school to have the best attendance and punctuality, so that our children can learn as much as they possibly can. Research shows that the closer a school and family work together the more likely a child will succeed.

This is achieved by:

Parent / Carer responsibilities:

· To ensure their child attends school regularly and on time.

· To inform school before 8.30am on the first day of a child’s absence.

· To keep in contact with the school should there be difficult home circumstances requiring support from the school.

· To not take holidays during term time as these will be unauthorised and a penalty notice may be issued. (Holidays are strictly not allowed in term time)

· To ensure the school has three current emergency contact names and numbers. The child should know these 3 people.

· To take medical and dentist appointments outside school time if possible.

· To co-operate with the school in our aim to improve attendance and punctuality.

The School’s Responsibilities:

· Inform parents/carers of their responsibilities for maintaining regular attendance for their child.

· Inform parents/carers every half term of their child’s attendance using the traffic light system.

o 97-100% - Good - Outstanding - GREEN LIGHT

o 94-96.9% - Satisfactory - AMBER LIGHT

o 93.9% and below - Unsatisfactory - RED LIGHT

· We aim to support any family in difficulties or crisis.

· Refer families requiring support to the Attendance Team or the School Attendance Support Worker as necessary.

· We value and reward good attendance; weekly, half termly, termly and annually through certificates, praise in assembly and rewards.

· We will request an explanation from parents/carers if your child is regularly late for school. Parents/carers will be invited into school to discuss this concern with the Learning Mentor and/or Deputy Headteacher / Executive Headteacher, in the hope of resolving the problem. Our School Attendance Support Worker may also attend meetings.

· To raise standards, please be aware, letters will be sent from the Lancashire School Attendance Support Worker if there are any concerns.

· We will actively seek Court Prosecution when needed, but we do this as a very last resort.

Attendance Policy