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Attendance

REQUEST FOR LEAVE IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES\

It is very important that parents/families request any leave formally and in writing by using the form below. Please make the request in writing at least 4 weeks in advance of the leave of absence. We will reply to you in writing. 

Absence request in exceptional circumstances form

ATTENDANCE

Research shows a direct correlation between high attendance and attaining well at school. All children have the right to an education. We encourage and expect excellent attendance for all pupils. 

 

To maintain the high levels of attendance we would like to highlight the following points:

  • You will be giving your child the best possible chance to reach his/her potential if s/he attends school regularly and on time.

  • The Headteacher is not permitted to grant any leave of absence during term unless there are exceptional circumstances. Holiday leave would not be considered an exceptional circumstance.

  • In those cases where permission is not granted, your child will be considered absent without authorisation.

We will:

  • tell pupils and parents the importance of being at school;
  • check that pupils are at school every day;
  • follow up and check the absence of persistent non-attenders;
  • aim for an attendance rate of at least 97%. 

Parents:

  • by law, must ensure that their child attends school;
  • should arrange dental and doctor’s appointments out of school hours or during school holidays, whenever possible;
  • make sure that their child arrives on time between 8.45am-8.55am  
    • or if they arrive after 9am, sign-in at the school office;
  • should contact the school on the first day their child is away from school.

It is vital for the progress of your child that they are punctual and regular attendees at school. 

 

The DfE have issued new guidance on attendance for September 2022.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1099677/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance.pdf

 

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT

It is important that parents/carers telephone to inform school if their child is going to be absent informing us of a reason before 10.00am. Please call 0161 881 1040 and leave a message on the answerphone. Our admin team will contact the parent provided by text if an absence has not been reported by 10.00am. 

 

 

LATE ARRIVAL 

Registration begins at 8.55am and the register closes at 9.25am. If your child arrives after this time, they will be marked as present but arriving late. Pupils arriving after the close of register will be recorded as late. This will not be authorised and will count as an absence for that school session.

 

On arrival after the close of register, pupils must immediately report to the school office to ensure that we can be responsible for their health and safety whilst they are in school.

Manchester City Council Guidance

Types of absence

Unauthorised absence – this is when children are absent from school without the authority of the head teacher. Below is a list of some of the reasons where absence from school may not be authorised;

  • Birthday treat

  • Day trip

  • Shopping or visit to hairdresser

  • Over-sleeping

  • Taking a long week-end

  • Taking the rest of the day off, before or after a dental or medical appointment

  • Family celebration

 

Authorised absence – There are very few reasons why absence may be authorised and in all cases you must inform your child’s school and explain the reasons why your child is absent.

If you need to take your child out of school during term time for exceptional circumstances, then you must contact your child’s school who will inform you of the procedure.

Only the head teacher can authorise absence and may request further evidence to support this.

UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE

One of the main changes from the Department for Education is how sanctions for unauthorised absence are used. These rules are coming into force across the country on 19th August 2024 as part of the Department for Educations drive to improve school attendance

UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE – FIRST TIME

  • If you take an unauthorised holiday in term time or have other periods of unauthorised absence the school may request that Manchester City Council issue a fine (known as a fixed-penalty notice). If issued with one, you’ll need to pay this directly to the local authority – £80 within 21 days, or £160 within 28 days. (This money does not go to school.)
  • The decision whether to issue a fine will take into account whether a national threshold has been met – this is 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a rolling period of 10 school weeks – as well as other factors.

UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE – SECOND TIME

  • If there was a second period of unauthorised absence within a three-year period then a second penalty notice could be issued, and this would be at the higher rate of £160.

UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE – THIRD TIME

  • Further periods of absence within three years, could mean that you are taken to court with no option of a penalty notice.

TERM TIME HOLIDAYS

  • Term-time holidays are generally not permitted during the school year. Absences due to term-time holidays are disruptive to learning and lead to missed opportunities in the classroom.
  • If holidays are taken in term time, these days will be marked as UNAUTHORISED.
  • However, we recognise that there may be exceptional circumstances and in such rare cases, please submit a formal request to the headteacher at least two weeks before you are intending to travel. The headteacher will carefully consider each request on an individual basis. You can find the form at https://www.stjohnsrc.net/attendance/

Please get in touch with Mrs O’Donoghue, Mrs Deasy or Mrs Marsden with any further questions, and we'll be happy to discuss them with you.

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