Pupil Absence

Attendance Matters

Newchurch Community Primary School believes that in order to facilitate teaching and learning, good attendance is essential. Pupils cannot achieve their full potential if they do not regularly attend school.

We understand that barriers to attendance are complex, and that some pupils find it harder than others to attend school; therefore, we will continue to prioritise cultivating a safe and supportive environment at school, as well as strong and trusting relationships with pupils and parents.

We take a whole-school approach to securing good attendance, and recognise the impact that our efforts in other areas – such as the curriculum, behaviour standards, bullying, SEND support, pastoral support, and the effective use of resources such as pupil premium – can have on improving pupil attendance.

We are committed to:

  • Promoting and modelling high attendance and its benefits.
  • Ensuring equality and fairness for all.
  • Ensuring this attendance policy is clear and easily understood by staff, pupils and parents.
  • Intervening early and working with other agencies to ensure the health and safety of our pupils.
  • Building strong relationships with families to overcome barriers to attendance.
  • Working collaboratively with other schools in the area, as well as other agencies.
  • Ensuring parents follow the framework set in section 7 of the Education Act 1996, which states that the parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause them to receive efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, and to any SEND they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
  • Regularly monitoring and analysing attendance and absence data to identify pupils or cohorts that require more support.

The school’s attendance officer is Mr John Duckett and can be contacted via newchurch_primary@sch.warrington.gov.uk .

Staff, parents and pupils will be expected to contact the attendance officer for queries or concerns about attendance.

Regular and punctual attendance is important. Pupils need to attend school regularly if they are to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them by law. Newchurch Primary School fully recognises its responsibilities to ensure pupils are in school and on time, therefore having access to learning for the maximum number of sessions.

 

Children who are persistently late or absent soon fall behind with their learning. Children who are absent frequently are at risk of developing large ‘gaps’ in their learning which will impact on their progress and their ability to meet age related expectations. A child whose attendance drops to 90% each year will, over time, have missed two whole terms of learning.

 

‘Where all avenues have been exhausted and support is not working or not being engaged with, enforce attendance through statutory interventions or prosecution to protect the pupil’s right to an education.’

  • Mr John Duckett

    Attendance Officer

  • Mrs Anthea Ray

    Attendance Governor
Holidays in Term Time
Holidays are not authorised during term time and parents should aim to book family holidays in line with the school term dates.  Should a parent need to request a period of absence from school, an absence request form must be filled in at least two weeks prior to the planned absence.
My child is sick, what do I do?
 
If your child is feeling unwell and will be absent from school, please contact the school office on 01925 763427 by 9am on the first day of their absence.