Attendance Policy
- School Procedures
- Lateness
- First Days Absence
- Second Absence
- Continuing Absence
- Ten Days Absence
- Promoting Absence
- Holidays in Term Time
- Attendance Awards
- Attendance Targets
- The Law
Oriel Specialist Mathematics and Computing College is committed to providing a full and efficient education to all pupils and embraces the concept of equal opportunities for all. We will endeavor to provide an environment where all pupils feel valued and welcome. For a child to reach their full educational achievement a high level of school attendance is essential. We will consistently work towards a goal of 100% attendance for all children. Every opportunity will be used to convey to pupils and their parents or carers the importance of regular and punctual attendance. School attendance is subject to various Education laws and Oriel Specialist College’s Attendance Policy is written to reflect these laws and the guidance produced by the Department for Education and Skills. Each year the College will examine its attendance figures and set attendance/absence targets. These will reflect both national and Norfolk attendance targets. The College will review its systems for improving attendance at regular intervals to ensure that it is achieving its set goals. This policy will contain within it the procedures that the school will use to meet its attendance targets.
1. School Procedures
Any child who is absent from Oriel College at the morning or afternoon registration period must have their absence recorded as being authorised, unauthorised or as an approved educational activity [attendance out of school]. Only the head teacher or the Attendance Officer acting on their behalf can authorise absence. If there is no known reason for the absence at registration, then the absence must be recorded in the first instance as unauthorised.
2. Lateness
Morning registration will take place at the start of school at 8.25am. The registers will remain open for 30 minutes, closing at 9.10am. Any pupil arriving after this time will be marked as (U) – Lateness after registers have closed which is seen as having an unauthorised absence unless there is an acceptable explanation i.e. school transport was delayed. In cases for example, where the absence at registration was for attending an early morning medical appointment, the appropriate authorized absence code will be entered. The afternoon registration will be at 1.30 PM. The registers will close at 2.00 PM. Pupils arriving after the start of school but before the end of the registration period will be treated for statistical purposes, as present, but will be coded as late before registers close.
3. First Day Absence
Parents/carers are expected to contact the colleges “Student Absence Line” – 01493 660 270 on the morning of the first day of absence. Failure to do this will mean that the Attendance Officer will send a text message/voice message to the respective parents/carers of the absent student via the school’s Group Call System
4. Second Day Absence
If no contact has been made by the parent/carer to the college, then a letter will be sent home requesting contact be made.
5. Continuing Absence
If there is no response from the letter, then a home visit will be made to establish the reason for the absence.
6. Ten Day’s Absence
Any pupil who is absent without an explanation for 10 consecutive days will be referred to the school’s Educational Welfare Officer and the Local Education Authority will be made aware. This is a legal requirement. The college will include details of the action that they have taken.
7. Frequent Absence
It is the responsibility of the Attendance Officer to be aware of and bring attention to, any emerging attendance concerns. In cases where a pupil begins to develop a pattern of absences, the school will try to resolve the problem with the parent/carer at a meeting with the School’s Attendance Panel. If this is unsuccessful the school will refer to the School Health Adviser if the problem appears to be a medical one. In other cases the school will refer the matter to Fast Track.ils.
8. Absence notes
Notes received from parents explaining absence will be kept for the remainder of the academic year in the students records file. If there are attendance concerns about the pupil, that may require further investigation, then the notes may need to be retained for a longer period.
9. Promoting attendance
The college will use opportunities as they arise to remind parents/carers, that it is their responsibility to ensure that their children receive their education. This communication will be made through the college’s website, in-house television system, Oriel Newsletter, Parents Evenings, Academic Review days and additions to mail shots.
10. Holidays in term time
Holidays during term time are discouraged. Parents will be reminded of the effect that absence can have on a pupil’s potential achievement. The school will consider authorising up to 10 days absence but parents must apply in advance for permission. Holiday forms are available from college’s reception or from the school’s Attendance Office.
11. Attendance Awards
The school will use the following system to reward pupils who have good or improving attendance . Certificates for 98% to 100% attendance – Termly Prizes for 100% Attendance – Termly Non school uniform days for best attending year group – Termly Trips – Termly Best Form prizes – Termly Prize Draw, 98% to 100% attendance students – End of school year (July)
12. Attendance Targets
The school will set attendance targets each year. A system for analysing performance towards the targets will be established and a senior school manager will be responsible for overseeing this work.
Our schools targets are:
2007/2008 – 92% 2008/2009 – 93%
The Norfolk Targets for secondary schools are:
2007/2008 – 92.35% 2008/2009 – (TBC)
13. The Law
The Education Act 1996 Part 1, Section 7 states: The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable- [a] To his age, ability and aptitude and [b] To any special needs he may have. either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. For educational purposes the term parent is used to include those that have parental responsibility and/or those that have the day to day care of the child. The legislation that appertains to children who are of compulsory school age and are registered at school is contained within this Act. Part V1 Section 444 contains the details of when an offence is committed if a child fails to attend school. Register and Admission Roll keeping. The legal requirements are found in: The Education [Pupil Registration] (England) Regulations 2006
