Attendance
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ATTENDANCE
Here at Coppice Farm, good attendance is a priority and a key part of our children’s success, linked directly to our school values:
Our Coppice Farm attendance target is to exceed 95% attendance each week.
Being on time and coming to school everyday on time is vital so that learning is not missed. Our school day starts at 8.50am for pupils with class doors closing at 9am promptly.
An attendance rate of 95% is generally considered good; this allows for children to miss 9.5 days across the school year.
Persistent absence (PA) is defined as an attendance rate of 90% or below.
Attendance has a huge impact on a pupils all round experience and success – academically, socially and emotionally:
The Department for Education (DfE) states that you can only allow your child to miss school if they are ill, or if you have advance permission from the headteacher:
You have to get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.
You can only do this if:
* you make an application to the head teacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with)
* there are exceptional circumstances
It’s up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.
You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.
DfE / Gov.uk
The following types of absence may be marked as authorised:
- Leave of absence authorised by the Head Teacher (such as time off due to bereavement).
- Holidays authorised by the headteacher, who must specify how many days are approved. These should only be approved in exceptional circumstances.
- Illness:you must notify your child’s school on the morning of their first day of absence. If your child has coronavirus, you MUST keep them at home from at least 3 days from the day after they developed symptoms or had a positive test. If the school disputes the authenticity of their illness, they could ask you for medical evidence such as a doctor’s note, an appointment card or a copy of their prescription.
- Medical or dental appointments, although these should be arranged outside school hours whenever possible.
- Religious observance.
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller absence when the family is travelling for occupational purposes.
- Offsite educational activities - this could include music, dance or drama exams, or participation in a sporting event. Approval is at the school’s discretion.
What absences are not authorised?
Certain types of absence will be marked as unauthorised. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, agreed by the headteacher, time off for holidays is always unauthorised.
Absences where the parents haven’t given the school a reason are also recorded as unauthorised.
As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure your child is at school.
If your child doesn’t go to school and you haven’t phoned in your notification, you’ll be contacted by the school to find out why they’re absent.
Further information and guidance: Nottinghamshire County Council / Holidays during term time
