Attendance
We expect parents to get their children here, on time, every day. For the children it means that they have chance to settle and be ready to learn straight away and it gives them the best chance of fulfilling their potential.
Should your child be too poorly to attend school we ask that you please ring 01905 423228 or email hpsoffice@metacademies.org.uk before 9.30am on the day, every day, that your child is absent. The only exception to this is if your child sees a doctor and they are ‘signed-off’ for a period of time. In the event of this happening please call to inform us of the date you would expect them to return. There may be further confirmation required from your doctor in these circumstances and we would let you know if this is the case. Please notify the school as soon as possible if your child has an infectious illness.
Absences not reported to school will be recorded as unauthorised.
Children arriving after 8.55am will be marked as late.
We have a duty to report persistent late/absence to the Education Welfare Officer and all attendance data is sent to the local authority each term.
We ask that you do not book holidays during term time unless there are very exceptional circumstances. Leave of absence forms are available on the website and from the school office. These should be filled in and returned at least 6 weeks before the planned absence.
Year 6 pupils should not apply for leave of absence during the week beginning Monday 11th May as this is SATS week.
Unavoidable medical appointments should be notified in advance to both the office and the class teacher by letter.
met-attendance-punctuality-policy-august-2024.pdf
It is really important all children are in school every day during term time. National pupil outcome data shows that children with the highest attainment at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4, have the higher rates of attendance than those with the lowest attainment. Being in school provides children with the best chance of academic achievement and therefore increases the choices available to them as they get older.
The government has issued updated guidance for schools ‘Working together to improve school attendance- May 2022’ and it reiterates that term time absence will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, confirming that ‘it is unlikely a leave of absence will be granted for the purposes of a family holiday.’
The law on school attendance and right to a full-time education
9. The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude, and any special educational need they may have. It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education either by attendance at a school or by education otherwise than at a school.
10. Where parents decide to have their child registered at school, they have an additional legal duty to ensure their child attends that school regularly. This means their child must attend every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence in advance from the school.
‘Working together to improve school attendance’ DFE, August 2024
As such, penalty notices may be issued for unauthorised term time holidays or persistent absence from school and parents need to be aware of this if they are planning on taking their children out of school. Currently, the fine stands at £80 per parent, per child, and these are issued by the local authority- the money does not come to school.
To request term time holiday, parents or carers need to complete a 'Request to take absence in term time form' (Appendix 5 in the Attendance Policy below).
Supporting families: Educational Welfare Officer (EWO)
Educational Welfare Officer: Claire Smout
We have an Educational Welfare Officer, Claire Smout, who supports the school and families with attendance. Where we have concerns or the EWO suggests improvements are needed for individuals, Mrs Smout may visit the home or arrange a meeting with parents. This could be if holidays are taken during term time or if a pupil has a high level of absence from school for any reason. We will always work with families to improve attendance, however support and engagement from parents and carers is fundamental in enabling this to happen.
If you want to find out more, the government guidance can be found through this link:
Working together to improve school attendance (publishing.service.gov.uk)