At Farington Moss, St. Paul’s C of E Primary School we place great importance on good attendance and punctuality.

We know that a child’s attendance has a direct impact on their learning. Those children who are regularly absent from school and regularly late do not achieve their potential and do fall behind in class. Research has proven that there is a high correlation between school attendance and academic performance and success.

Please support the school in this by ensuring that your child attends school regularly and arrives ready to learn and on time. Our attendance target is 97%.

Lost Learning due to Poor Attendance

Frequent absence can add up to a considerable amount of lost learning and can seriously disadvantage your child in adult life.

What can parents/carers do to help?

• Parents/carers must model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance.

• Make sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time - you will establish a good habit that they will carry through life.

• If your child starts missing school, work with the school to put things right. Make sure your child understands that you do not approve of him/her missing school.

• If your child is ill or must miss school for some other reason, contact the school office as soon as possible.

• Do not expect school to approve of shopping trips, birthday, treats etc. during school hours. Arrange family holidays so that your child will not miss any learning.

• Take an interest in your child’s school work and be involved in the school as much as possible - your child will value school more if you do.

Types of Absence

Every half-day absence from school, by law, has to be classified as either authorised or unauthorised. This is why information about the cause of absence is always asked for.

Authorised Absences

These are mornings or afternoons away from school for a valid reason such as illness, emergency medical or dental appointments (routine appointments should always be made out of school hours) and emergencies.

Unauthorised Absences

An absence is classified as unauthorised if the reason was not recognised as acceptable. The Department for Education (DfE) and Local Education Authorities provide information for schools as to what is acceptable and what is not.

Examples of reasons that would not be accepted:

• A birthday

• A shopping trip

• Day trips

• Holidays – unless have been agreed as exceptional circumstances

We appreciate the challenges that some parents/carers face when booking holidays, particularly during the school holidays. However, regular attendance at school is vital in helping children and young people to achieve their full potential and get the best possible start in life.

Attendance Monitoring

As attendance and punctuality is so important to us, we cannot be complacent where there are instances of unacceptable, low pupil attendance, or if pupils are regularly late to school. We do monitor this and will be in contact if attendance is below 91%.

Leave in Term Time

Requests for leave can only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Requests for leave must also be made to the school in advance. To do this please use the Leave of absence request form and email to the Headteacher, Mr Eccleston head@st-pauls-farington.lancs.sch.uk or hand to the school office.

Punctuality

It is very important that all children arrive on time. The school gates open at 8.45am every morning. School starts at 8:55am. If your child arrives after 9.00 am they are late.

If children are regularly late, a parent/carer will be contacted to look at how punctuality can be improved.

All school staff will work with pupils and their families to ensure each pupil attends school regularly and punctually. 

It is the responsibility of the parents/carers to ensure that their children are regular and punctual attendees and to:

• To contact school on the 1^st day of absence no later than 9:30am

• Keep all contact numbers up to date

• Attend meetings in school

• Provide proof of medical appointments, if the reason for absence is given as illness

• Avoid any leave in term time – this includes any holidays which should be discussed with the school prior to the holiday being booked, as if it does not meet the criteria, it may lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice

• Participate in the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) process and cooperate in support and interventions offered by school or other agencies if there are attendance concerns.

 It is the responsibility of pupils to:

• Attend school and be on time

• Talk to parent/Carer/teacher or other trusted adult if issues arise that may have an effect on school attendance

 It is the responsibility of the school to encourage good habits of attendance and punctuality by:

• Monitoring attendance by completion of registers

• Initiate the use of first day response call when children are not in school in time for registration

• Following up absences with requests for letters of explanation from parents

• Following up unexplained lateness

• Not blaming children for non-attendance and/or lateness when the responsibility lies with parents / carers

• Involving parents/carers in meetings

• Involving the Pupil Attendance Support Team when appropriate

• Referrals to Children Missing in Education when appropriate

• Staff setting good, personal examples

• Adopting a positive attitude to children who are regular and punctual attendees

• Provide Wrap around Care, Breakfast Club opens at 7:30am and After School Club is open until 6:00pm.

Further information can be found at Lancashire attendance procedures

See the School Performance Comparison Website for comparative information on our school’s absence figures.

For advice on returning to school and support for children transitioning to Secondary school please visit the Children’s Commissioner for Schools.

If you have any questions about attendance or would like further support please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Napier - Attendance Lead. 01772 336166