ATTENDANCE
TERM TIME ABSENCE REQUESTS
Following the recent updates to government guidance on attendance, there have been changes to the ways in which schools will handle term time holidays. The fine for taking a child out of school during term time has risen from £60 to £80 per child. If this fine is not paid in the first 21 days following the penalty notice, it will rise to £160. All schools are now required to consider a fine when a child has missed 10 or more sessions (5 days) for unauthorised reasons, including a term time holiday. This will be doubled if it happens again within three years. Those with a third fine in a three-year period now face prosecution. There is no right to appeal a penalty notice.
Headteachers can only grant an authorised term time absence in exceptional circumstances, which are defined as one-off events that are unavoidable.
From January 2025, pupils who miss 10 or more sessions (5 days) for unauthorised reasons, including a term time holidays, will be referred to the Attendance and Placement Team at the local authority and issued a penalty notice.
ATTENDANCE MONITORING AT ST STEPHEN'S
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve attendance and outcomes for students, we implement a 4 stage monitoring process, which is intended to improve attendance across our school. Attending school is a crucial foundation for a child’s future success and personal development. Each day spent in the classroom offers invaluable opportunities for learning, growth and socialisation that are all essential for academic achievement and wellbeing. As you will already be aware, we expect consistent and punctual attendance as this fosters a sense of routine and responsibility that are vital skills for both academic and personal life, both now and in the future.
Stage 1
Pupils who have an attendance percentage below the school’s attendance threshold. An initial concern letter will be sent to remind parent/carer of the importance of good attendance.
Stage 2
Pupils that continue to have an attendance percentage below the school’s set attendance threshold and have further absences from school, parents will be sent an ongoing concern letter along with a parent survey requesting more information to be provided regarding school absence.
At this stage, school will also consider intervention from an independent Attendance Officer from Clennell Education Solutions. This could be a home visit or telephone call to parents/carers.
Stage 3
Pupils that continue to show little, or no improvement, continue to have absences from school and where attendance has not reached the school’s set attendance threshold. A serious concern letter will be sent to parents/carers advising that the student will commence a 4 week monitoring period. During this period 100% attendance is required unless medical evidence can be provided.
A meeting between parents, school and our independent Attendance Officer will be arranged. In this meeting, we will work together to complete an attendance action plan.
Stage 4
Where a pupil has unauthorised absences during the 4 week monitoring period, they will be considered for referral to the Local Authority Attendance Team. Parent/carer will be notified of this decision.
We are asking for your co-operation, and you can help us by:
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Encouraging your child to attend school every day and be punctual.
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Reporting any absence prior to 8:30 am including the reason for absence
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Informing school, confidentially, of any changes or circumstance that may affect your child.
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Supporting your child and the school by attending parent’s meetings and taking an interest in your child's schoolwork.
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Not taking holidays during term time. Headteachers are no longer able to grant leave of absence during term time.
We want to support your child to reach their potential and we would like to remind you that you can arrange to speak to school about any concerns or support that you may need, at any time.
ATTENDANCE REWARD SCHEMES
Pupils at St Stephen's are rewarded for having good school attendance through the following schemes:
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Weekly Individual Prize – Each week, all children whose weekly attendance is 100% will be entered in a draw to win cinema tickets.
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Half Termly Individual Prize – As well as the individual draw each week, all children who receive 100% weekly attendance will have their name in a draw for a half term prize. The more weeks they have 100% attendance, the more chances they have to win!
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Half Termly Class Prize – Each week, we will celebrate the class who achieved the highest class attendance in assembly. Pupils can see their class move up the mountain in the race to achieve the best class attendance for the half term. There will be a class prize arranged for the following half term awarded to the winning class.