Attendance and Punctuality

Every Child Has the Right to an Education (Article 28) 

As a Rights Respecting School, Plymouth Grove Primary School takes a whole school approach to putting children’s rights at the heart of school policy and practice.  We will promote school attendance and challenge school absence as we uphold and champion every child's right to an education (Article 28).

At Plymouth Grove, we believe that pupils need to attend school on time, every day to learn, develop and thrive. We believe that regular school attendance is the key to enabling children to maximise the educational opportunities available to them and become emotionally resilient, confident and competent adults who are able to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to their community. 

As a school we want to work together with parents to ensure that all children are happy and enjoy coming to school to learn new skills and socialise with their peers.

We would like to say a big thank you to those families who always make sure that their children are in school regularly.

 

Different Types of Absence

Absences MUST be recorded by school every day.

They are recorded as:

Authorised Absence - This is where a satisfactory explanation for the pupil’s absence has been given by the parent /carer.

For example: -

  • Illness/ Medical appointments (Proof will be asked for in the way of an appointment card or medical letter)
  • Exceptional circumstances such as family bereavement (When written permission has been given by the Head Teacher)
  • 3 Days a year for religious observance (e.g. EID) are counted as authorised absence

All requests for leave of absence must be put in writing to Mr Cooke. 

Unauthorised Absence - This is where no satisfactory explanation has been given for a child’s absence.

We will not authorise;

  • holidays during term time                
  • a pupil’s, or family member’s birthday
  • shopping
  • having a hair cut
  • trips to the airport to pick up/drop off relatives
  • holiday taken without the school’s permission

”I slept in” or “We took too long getting ready” are not acceptable excuses for lateness.

What should parents do?

Telephone the school admin team on 0161 2731453 on the first day and each day of your child’s absence, to let them know why your child is not at school.

  1. If your child has an appointment, show the appointments card to the School Office BEFORE the appointment. Your child should return to school as soon as possible after the appointment. If you have a morning appointment and are able to come into school first you will be requested to do so.
  2. If you wish to go on a family holiday in term time you will need to put this in writing/email to Mr Cooke the Head teacher. Mr Cooke will look at the attendance records for each child and the reason for the holiday before a decision is made. If leave is NOT authorised an Attendance Penalty Notice could be issued. 

 

What will School do?

  • School will monitor the attendance of all children regularly. 
  • School will telephone home if no reason is given for an absence and will record this. School will work with parents/ carers to ensure children have good attendance. We may do a home visit if we have not heard from the family or if the child has had a number of days absence off without parents contacting school to explain the reasons why.
  • School will closely monitor children who persistently miss school and/or whose attendance falls near or below 90%. You will receive letters reminding you of attendance issues and you may be asked to come into school to talk about reasons why at an attendance panel meeting. Here we will talk about issues that may be affecting your child's attendance, put a plan of support in place and set targets that will be reviewed in 4 weeks time. It may be necessary in extreme cases to issue a penalty notice under Section 444 of the Education Act.

 

What Does the Law Say?

If your child is between 5 and 16 years of age and is registered as a pupil at a school, it is your legal responsibility to make sure that they attend regularly and on time.

Under the Antisocial Behaviour act 2003 an authorised officer of Manchester City Council has the power to issue each parent/carer with a penalty notice for each of their children who fail to attend school regularly. A penalty notice is an early deterrent that is intended to prevent more extended periods of unauthorised absence developing.


Penalty notices issued on or after 1 September 2012 incur a fine of £120, which is reduced to £60 if paid within 21 days of the notice being served. Failure to pay a penalty notice may result in prosecution.

 



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