Our aim is that every child maintains a good level of attendance as this is important in ensuring that children are able to maximise their opportunities and realise their true potential.
Obviously there are times when children are unwell or infectious and cannot come to school. If you child is unwell and cannot attend school, you must let us know each day on 01642 318510. Please keep the school informed; let us know as soon as possible, by telephoning the school office before 08:50.
If you do not inform us, a member of the team will send a message via School Gateway to find out the reason for the absence. If we do not receive a response to the message, a member of the team may call you to establish the reason.
If we are unable to contact you following these attempts, we may feel that it is necessary to visit your home.
Our team monitor attendance and punctuality very closely.
Here are some other pointers:
- If in doubt, send your child in. Please update contact numbers when necessary.
- If at all possible, avoid medical appointments during the school day. If unavoidable, please send in evidence of the appointment for our records. If you do need to remove your child from class, please keep this to as short a period as possible and let us know beforehand.
- In line with Authority policy, we do not authorise any holidays during term time, except where there are truly exceptional circumstances. Please fill in a ‘Leave of Absence’ form to inform us of any plans.
- With sickness and diarrhoea, your child must be kept at home for 48 hours after their last bout.
Levels of attendance are as follows:
Below 90% attendance: Persistent Absentee (PA).
Pupils are identified as persistent absentees if they miss 10% or more of their possible sessions. Local Authority Welfare Officers will be advised. Formal intervention and referral can be actioned.
90% – 92%: At risk of becoming a Persistent Absentee (PA) pupil.
If your child is at this level, you will be made aware of the fact. School will monitor these children closely. You may be asked to attend a meeting, or receive a home visit regarding this low level of attendance. Attendance targets set.
92% – 94%: Needs improvement.
If your child’s attendance reaches this level, you may be invited into school to discuss strategies to improve your child’s attendance. School will monitor children at this level.
94% – 96%: Satisfactory.
96% – 100%: Good.
It is expected that all children should reach at least 96% attendance.
Holidays and Leave of Absence
The school strongly advises that parents make every attempt not to arrange holidays or to take occasional days leave during school time: amendments to school regulations make it clear that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you do intend making a request for an exceptional leave of absence, you need to be aware that the DfE’s statutory guidance states that even where leave can be granted, the number of days a child can be away from school should be determined by the headteacher.
Middlesbrough LA and The Avenue Primary School have agreed a common practice in defining the criteria for determining exceptional leave and has published a common Request for Exceptional Leave Form. This is obtainable from the office or below and it is important that you give as much information as possible to help us in our decision.
Support for Attendance
At The Avenue Primary School, The Redcar and Cleveland Attendance and Welfare Service provides advice, support and guidance to parents where school attendance is a concern and also provides advice, support and assistance to school in respect of improving and maintaining high levels of attendance. The Education Welfare Service investigates and intervenes in individual cases of non-attendance or irregular school attendance and supports appropriate legal interventions where parents have failed to fulfil their responsibilities in respect of school attendance.
Contact details for The Redcar and Cleveland Attendance and Welfare Service:
Attendance & Welfare Service
Redcar & Cleveland House
Kirkleatham Street
Redcar
Yorkshire
TS10 1RT
Tel: (01642) 837738
