Attendance

Attendance

There is a clear link between high levels of attendance and high levels of progress.  We believe that if children attend school regularly and punctually they will be best able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Our minimum expected attendance target for all children is 96.2%.

 

Term Time Leave of Absence

Parents should make every effort to ensure that term time and extended leave are arranged outside of school term time.  Parents may request a leave of absence during term time where there are exceptional circumstances.  Requests for leave of this type must be made in writing using the appropriate form – ask at school office, to the Headteacher (at least 4 weeks in advance of the leave being taken). 

Retrospective applications will not be considered and this time taken will be processed as unauthorised absence.  The Headteacher may only grant such requests in exceptional circumstances and the Headteacher’s decision is final on whether the request is approved and the length of absence approved.

All requests for authorised absence will be responded to in writing, and will outline the details of when the child is expected to return to school. Parents should contact the school immediately if there will be a cause for delay from the stated date of return.

It remains the Headteacher’s decision whether to authorise any request for absence during term time.

We will not agree any absence during term time under the following circumstances:

• Immediately before and during assessment periods (SATS) for year 6 pupils
• Immediately before and during assessment periods (SATS) for year 2 pupils
• When a pupil’s attendance record already includes any level of unauthorised absence

 

Any period of leave taken without the agreement of the school (this will be classed as unauthorised and may attract sanctions such as a Fixed Penalty Notice).

 

What is good attendance?

 

Attendance	Description	Approx. days lost per year	Approx. weeks lost per year
98-100%	Excellent	0-4	Less than 1
96.2-98%	Good	5-9	1-2
95-96.1%	Satisfactory	10-13	2-3
90-95%	Unsatisfactory	14-18	3-4
Below 90%	Persistent Absence	More than 19	More than 4

 

Garden City Academy expects to work closely together in partnership with parents and carers in order to achieve excellent levels of school attendance and punctuality for all pupils.

 

Persistent Absence

 

At Garden City Academy a pupil becomes a ‘persistent absentee’ when they miss 7% or more schooling across the school year for whatever reason.  Absence at this level is doing considerable damage to any child’s education and we need parent’s fullest support and co-operation to tackle this.

We monitor all absence and the reasons given thoroughly.  Any case that is seen to have reached the persistent absence mark or is at risk of moving towards that mark is given priority and we will inform the parents/carers immediately.

 

Attendance

 

Please ensure you notify the school office by 9.15am if your child is unable to attend school.  You can do this 24 hours a day, by either leaving a message on the school absence line 01462 621800 (option 1) or emailing the school via the school gateway.

For more information about the school attendance  policy see the policy located on the policy section of this website.