CONTEXT This document is a response to the need for Simon Balle to provide updated behaviour and attendance policies, incorporating changes in legislation and the DfES Behaviour and Attendance Strategy. Its purpose is to be a guidance document to enable whole school consistency. New legislation comes from the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, Section 175 of the Education Act 2002, ‘Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of pupils’ and changes in guidance are from the Key Stage 3 ‘Advice on whole school behaviour and attendance policy’. Also included are the new registration codes and procedures of September 2006, information relating to the Statutory Instrument 58, which dictates the setting of attendance targets for both schools and Local Authorities, and attendance data collection procedures, by both the Local Authority ¹ and the DfES.
ATTENDANCE Parents are legally responsible for ensuring that a child of compulsory school age attends school regularly (5-16 years). We will work towards ensuring that all pupils feel supported and valued. We will send a clear message that if a pupil is absent, she/he will be missed. We will consult with all members of the school community, Education Welfare Service and significant other outside agencies, in developing and maintaining the whole school attendance policy. We will encourage parents/carers to be actively involved in promoting their child’s attendance. We will ensure that all staff are aware of the requirements of the registration process and that they receive training on Registration Regulations and the law relating to attendance. Regular information will be sent to parents and pupils informing them of attendance rates and related issues. Promote positive staff attitudes to pupils returning after absence will ensure regular evaluation of attendance policy and procedures by Senior Managers and the school governors. Attendance will be an important feature of the school Improvement Plan. Consistent and vigorous monitoring and evaluation procedures will be in place.
ROLES AND REPSONSIBILITIES • •
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The Governing Body is responsible for defining the principles underlying Simon Balle’s Behaviour and Attendance Policy. The Headteacher is responsible for establishing an environment that encourages positive behaviour and attendance, discourages bullying and promotes race equality and, with other members of the Leadership Team, organising support for implementing the policy. With respect to the above, oversight of the reviewing, amending and monitoring processes of Simon Balle’s Behaviour and Attendance Policy has been delegated to the Curriculum Support Co-ordinator and to provide a framework for implementing the Behaviour and Attendance Policy. Each year group has a Head of Year, supported by a team of tutors. All other staff, both teaching and support staff, who are not tutors have a responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented in a consistent way. Heads of Year have a responsibility for monitoring rewards and/or sanctions. Students have a responsibility to support staff and each other in the implementation of Simon Balle’s Behaviour and Attendance policy. (See Teaching and Learning for ways in which students support staff.) In addition students are able to voice their concerns as well as shape and promote the policy through their Year Council and subsequently the School Parliament. Parents and carers have a responsibility for their child's attendance and their behaviour inside and outside the school. Parents and carers also have a responsibility for working in partnership with the school to maintain high standards of behaviour and attendance, and in contributing to this and related policies through consultation.
STANDARDS - CODE OF CONDUCT •
Parents are asked to support the school by ensuring that students are fully conversant with the Code of Conduct and that it is adhered to. The Code of Conduct is not meant to be an exhaustive list of rules but rather a framework which operates in conjunction with other policies e.g. Anti-bullying Policy, Drugs Policy etc. 1. We will conduct ourselves in a polite, considerate and trustworthy manner at all times. 2. We will show respect for all members of the school community and their property. 3. We will present ourselves smartly and appropriately at all times. 4. We will show consideration for our environment. 5. We will remain on the school premises between 8.45 a.m. and 3.25 p.m., for reasons of safety, unless the permission of the Head of Year has been obtained. If permission is granted the signing-out book, kept in Reception, must be signed.
STANDARDS – ATTENDANCE • •
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It is expected that all students will attend school regularly and punctually. Good attendance is noted by the form tutor via parent consultation evenings or reports. Students achieving 100% attendance throughout an academic year are awarded a certificate to this effect. Registration is at the beginning of the morning and afternoon sessions 8.45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. respectively. Students are expected to be in form rooms at this time in order to be marked present. All absence is categorised and coded in line with DfES guidelines. Students' attendance and absence is monitored by the Curriculum Support Co-ordinator/Assistant Head/Head of Year on a half-termly basis and action is taken where attendance falls below 90%. Initially this is in the form of a letter offering support to parents. If the problem persists a referral is made to the Education Welfare Officer. Students, whose attendance is deteriorating without due cause, may be requested, via parents, to produce medical notes in order for the school to authorise further absences. Students on extended absence from school due to health or other mitigating factors are referred to the Local Authority (LA) with the view to receiving the provision of a home tutor. When students return from extended absence a flexible timetable and pastoral support is given in consultation with the Head of Year to facilitate a quick and effective reintegration. In the case of unauthorised absence parents are informed at the earliest opportunity. First day of absence notification system is used in an attempt to reduce unauthorised absence even further. All staff are expected to register students at the start of each lesson and to follow-up students who are absent. Parents may not authorise any absence, only the school can do this. Parents can only notify us why their child is absent. All students returning from an extended period of absence should bring a brief note to the form tutor, signed by a parent/carer, stating the reason for absence. The tutor will then mark the absence as either authorised or unauthorised or seek further advice from the Curriculum Support Co-ordinator. Any request for authorised absence in term time due to family holidays should be addressed to the Curriculum Support Co-ordinator prior to a booking being made. Normally such authorisation would only be given if the holiday could not be taken during normal school holidays due to parental employment and on condition that the holiday had not already been booked. It should also not exceed 10 school days in one academic year. Authorised absence, on production of a parental note, is normally given for: o Illness o Medical and dental appointments o Days of religious observance
Interviews with prospective employers (Year 11 students) where this is linked to future education/employment. Verification should be provided in advance. o Interviews for a place at another school. Verification should be provided in advance. o Study leave (Year 11 students). o Exclusions. o Family bereavements. o Special occasions e.g. family wedding. o Public performances where the child has been licensed by the L.E.A. and where participation has been agreed with the school in advance. o Other circumstances not covered by the above where parents feel there are mitigating circumstances for absence. Such circumstances should be discussed with the Head of Year in advance. Students who are off-site for approved educational activities will be counted as present for the purposes of the annual absence return. Such activities, authorised by the school may include: o Dual registration arrangements. o Field trips and educational visits. o Participation in or attendance at approved sporting activities. o Work experience. o Link courses, whereby students attend a further education college for part of the time (Years 10 and 11 students only). o Franchised students receiving part of their tuition off-site e.g. due to sickness. Punctuality is monitored on a weekly basis. Students are expected to arrive on time for both morning and afternoon registration. Students who are late are required to sign the 'signing-in book' kept in Reception. Students who are late more than three times will be dealt with by the Curriculum Support Co-ordinator and may be detained and/or put on 'late report'. In persistent cases the students and parents maybe referred to parenting classes or Education Welfare input. o
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REWARDS Wherever possible students are given praise and encouragement for good work and behaviour in order to promote a positive ethos throughout the school. Specifically staff: o End of year/term awards for Forms and Year groups.. o Achievement awards for individual students. o Write letters of commendation to parents. o Give recognition in assembly. o Comment positively in planners and exercise books o Give verbal praise. o Include achievements in the student's record of achievement/progress file.
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All staff are expected to model professional and exemplary behaviour and work in an environment of trust, respect and optimism when dealing with the students. It is our intention that students will learn by example where encouraging language, positive behaviour; punctuality and regular attendance are the norm.
SANCTIONS •
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It is sometimes necessary to use sanctions in support of our school discipline and ethos. It is always our intention to be consistent, fair and appropriate in our use of sanctions and to punish the behaviour rather than the individual. More severe sanctions will be reserved for more serious or persistent misbehaviour. Whole class sanctions will not be used unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Although staff will follow agreed sanctions and procedures individual student's circumstances will be taken into account. Students will be made aware of Rewards policy. Other sanctions used are: o Extra work which may be subject-based or may encourage students to reflect on the effects of their misbehaviour or absence on others in the school community. o Withdrawal of privileges. o Internal reporting. This may be as a result of a survey of all staff on student behaviour, or may be initiated following a parental/staff concern about homework/behaviour etc. o Detentions. Section 5 of the Education Act 1997 gives schools authority to detain students after the end of a school session on disciplinary grounds without the consent of the parent. o Parents will always be given at least twenty four hours notice of a detention, via their child, so that, where necessary, transport home can be re-arranged. Parents will be contacted if a student fails to attend the detention or fails to return the slip signed by a parent. Detentions will be until 4.25 p.m., accompanied by a detention slip. The intention is always to involve parents where there are serious concerns regarding a student's work, behaviour or attendance. In an attempt to be consistent staff follow set procedures with regard to: o o o o o
Absence notes and returning reply slips Lateness Leaving the school site without permission Failing to attend previous detentions Detentions.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR STUDENTS •
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Students admitted to the school in Year 7 are seen, as part of the induction process at their primary school, during one of the induction initiatives or by special invitation. Vulnerable students are identified as being in need of academic, physical, emotional, behavioural or social support. Support is provided for these students in terms of in-class support, out-of-class support, tutor groupings etc. Some students will have multiple problems and may or may not be statemented. Close liaison between the SENCO/Head of Year and Assistant Head is therefore very important so that vulnerable students do not slip through the net. Students experiencing particular problems in school or experiencing problems outside school which are affecting their work, behaviour or attendance can be referred to: o The Education Welfare Officer o Connexions Service o Child and Mental Health Service (CAMHS) o School health o Behaviour Support team o Secondary Outreach team o Advisory Teacher o Other appropriate agencies e.g. Social Services in the case of child protection issues
These referrals are made either by the Head of Year. The Assistant Headteacher, deals with all child protection issues.
ABSENCE • •
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First day notification of absence to support attendance and inform parents when children are not present at school. Contact with parents is made at the earliest opportunity if Heads of Year feel there is the need to inform parents/discuss a particular problem rather than letting it escalate e.g. where attendance falls below 90%. Simon Balle’s Curriculum Support Co-ordinator will make further interventions and remain in contact with parents and other agencies on a regular basis.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR STAFF •
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Staff are responsible, both as members of a department and a year group, for dealing with behaviour and attendance issues as outlined in earlier sections of this policy. Staff should aim for consistency and fairness.
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Staff should look for opportunities to practise and develop strategies for dealing with behavioural and attendance issues within the parameters of the policy. Staff should look for opportunities for regular professional development on behaviour and attendance either in school or elsewhere. Staff should not consider it to be a sign of weakness if individual students or classes present them with behavioural/attendance problems. Heads of Department should be used to support staff in the first instance. Heads of Year/SENCO, or other members of the Leadership Team can advise on strategies to assist with particular students or classes. The form tutor could also be a useful source of information on students in his/her tutor group and may well be able to provide additional support. Simon Balle is committed to providing the resources to promote positive behaviour and attendance through the use of INSET and external training courses.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR PARENTS •
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The school will try to inform parents of any post-registration absence when the student has been present at registration and has not signed out in addition to informing parents of the first day of absence if the school has not already been contacted. Parents are urged to contact the Head of Year/SENCO, or Curriculum Support Co-ordinator if students are experiencing specific problems which may be affecting their work, behaviour or attendance at school. The school can access support systems which may be helpful to parents where problems with students exist. The Assistant Head/Heads of Year and Curriculum Support Coordinator have specific responsibilities for the welfare of students and parents should contact these members of staff to discuss any issues or problems which may arise and which may give cause for parental concern. Parents will be afforded the opportunity to attend specially arranged six week parenting courses to support them with behaviour and attendance issues.
CONSULTATION •
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It is Simon Balle’s intention to consult with all staff, parents and students as part of the reviewing and monitoring process, prior to revision, by the Governing Body, of its Behaviour and Attendance Policy. Our current policy is the result of such consultations over many years and it is a fundamental process in ensuring the support of all members of the school community. Staff have completed an audit in the form of a managing behaviour questionnaire and the results have been submitted to the Leadership
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Team for further consideration. The Governing Body will then decide any amendment to the policy (September 2005/6) Students will be asked to contribute through their Year and School Councils. Parents will be asked to comment and make suggestions which will also be submitted to the Leadership Team for further consideration. The Governing Body will then decide any amendment to the policy.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION •
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It is Simon Balle’s intention to monitor the effectiveness of any revised Behaviour and Attendance Policy by e.g. undertaking the staff audit again and comparing the results. In order to ensure that the behaviour policies work fairly we intend to monitor sanctions and rewards by e.g. gender, ethnicity and SEN.
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Present at / a.m \ p.m registration. (Present) For all pupils present at registration. If leaving after registration, they would still be counted as present for statistical purposes. For Health and Safety reasons schools may choose to use a paper system in the school office to record that a pupil has left the premises.
B
Educated off site (Not Dual registration) (Approved Education Activity)
C
Other Authorised Circumstances (not covered by another appropriate code/description) (Authorised absent)
D
This code can be used for all pupils including Travellers children, who are present at educational provision which is not at a school Attending taster days at other schools, another school as ‘guest pupils’, vocational courses at college, alternative provision arranged and or agreed by the school, or undertaking work experience as part of an alternative curriculum or alternative provision (pupils undertaking work experience under section 560 of the Education Act 1996 should be recorded under Code W) Schools should not use this code as part of an agreed part-time timetable, in these circumstances absence should be recorded as Code C
For exceptional circumstances only and schools should consider - the nature of the event, its frequency, did the parent give advance notice and the pupils overall pattern of attendance Public Performances – the LA must licence the pupil to take part but the school authorises the absence Young Carers – school can authorise absence for a genuine crisis – but time limits should be set and work should be sent for the pupil Birth of a child – no more than 18 weeks authorised absence to cover the time immediately before and after the birth, after that time absence should be treated as unauthorised. At the request of the school – where a pupil has been placed on an agreed part-time timetable for an agreed period e.g. for a pupils reintegration Pupils affected by a partial closure in 2006/2007
Dual registration (i.e. pupil attending other establishment) (Approved Education Activity)
The law allows dual registration of pupils at both a PRU or special school and another local school. Both schools share responsibility for the child and failure to attend either without good reason is unauthorised absence. Pupils who are dually registered at two schools should be registered as such in both schools’ information management systems (MIS) under “pupil enrolment status”.
This code can be used for Traveller children when it is known that: they are attending another school and are dually registered at both schools. It should NOT be used unless these two conditions are met.
E
Excluded (no alternative provision made) (Authorised absent)
F
This code is used to record pupils’ absence because they have been excluded; and no provision has been made for them to continue their education whilst excluded. It must not be used to record the fact that the pupil has been excluded The school is responsible for making alternative arrangements for an excluded pupil who remains on the school roll either directly or in conjunction with an agreed provider of alternative provision. If the alternative provision made is attendance at a PRU, the pupil should be recorded under Code D as the pupil is, in effect, dually registered at both institutions If the pupil is “internally excluded” then the attendance should be recorded using the normal marks for present. If the alternative provision made is attendance at any other provider (agreed by the LA*), the pupil should be recorded under Code B as the pupil is being educated off site In all cases where alternative provision is made and the pupil is absent, the absence should be recorded using the appropriate code and not Code E.
Extended family holiday (agreed) (Authorised absence)
G
Schools should have arrangements in place to ensure that each can notify the other of absences so that both establishments can record them using the relevant absence code.
Schools should only exceptionally agree absence of more than 10 days in a school year (and should not regard 10 days as the norm) If the school considers there to be exceptional circumstances, approval can be given, the absence recorded as authorised using Code F. Examples include: parent working abroad for a fixed, medium term period; and returning to country or origin. If the school agrees to the absence and the pupil goes on holiday for 10 days or less the absence is authorised Code H If the school does not agree absence and the pupil goes on holiday, absence is unauthorised (Code G) If parents keep a child away for longer than was authorised extra time is recorded as unauthorised (Code G)
Family holiday (NOT agreed or days in excess of agreement) (Unauthorised absence)
If the school does not agree absence and the pupil goes on holiday, absence is unauthorised (Code G) If parents keep a child away for longer than was agreed any extra time is recorded as unauthorised (Code G)
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Family holiday (agreed) (Authorised absent)
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Illness (NOT medical or dental appointments)(Authorised absence)
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Parents should not normally take pupils on holiday in term time. Each request for holiday absence should be considered individually, taking into account the age of the child; the time of year of the proposed trip; its nature and parental wishes; the overall attendance pattern of the pupil; the child's stage of education and progress. Schools should invite parents in to school to discuss any proposed holiday in term time. With LA agreement, schools may delete from roll a pupil who fails to return within 10 school days of the agreed return date unless there is good reason for the continued absence, such as illness.
Missing registration through illness is an authorised absence If a pupil is present at registration but returns home because of illness no absence need be recorded for that session –however schools should keep a record of pupils leaving the site for emergencies If the authenticity of the pupils' illness is in doubt school can record the absence as unauthorised but should advise the parents of their intention. Schools may request parents to provide medical evidence to support absence on the grounds of illness. However, while schools can request this information they are advised not to request medical certificates unnecessarily (particularly retrospective certificates) and especially if the illness was not treated by a doctor at the time. Medical evidence can take the form of sight of prescriptions, appointment cards etc rather than doctor’s notes. Absence at registration due to a medical, dental or hospital appointment should be recorded using Code M
Interview (Approved Education Activity) Interviews with prospective establishment (Year 11 only)
L
employers
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another
educational
Late (before registration closes) (Present) Late for session Schools should actively discourage late arrival Schools should have a policy on how long registers are kept open The DfES recommendation is 30 minutes from the beginning of registration, but in periods of bad weather or public transport difficulties they may be kept open for longer
M
Medical or Dental appointments (Authorised absent) Missing registration for a medical or dental appointment is authorised absence Parents and pupils should be encouraged to make appointments out of school hours and sight of an appointment card is advisable if the pupil attends irregularly If a pupil is present for registration but has an appointment later no absence need be recorded
N
For health and safety reasons a system must be in place to record that a pupil has either arrived late or left the premises during a session
No reason yet provided for absence (- temporary mark) (Unauthorised absent) This is an interim mark where no reason has been provided for the absence. Every endeavour should be made to establish the reason for a pupils absence, but if no reason is provided after a reasonable amount of time Code N should be replaced with Code O Code N should not be left showing on a pupil’s attendance record indefinitely. Schools should ensure they have systems and procedures in place to follow up these absences and establish the reason for absence, ideally within a two week timescale
O
Unauthorised absence (not covered by any other code/description) (Unauthorised absent) The permanent mark for all absences which have never been properly accounted for e.g. pupils/parents/siblings birthdays, shopping, visits to hairdressers, sibling INSET days etc
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Approved sporting activity (Approved Education Activity)
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Religious observance (Authorised absent)
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Absence to take part in any day set aside exclusively for religious observance by the religious body to which the parents belong. Parents should be encouraged to give advance notice.
Study leave
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The pupil is participating in or attending an approved sporting activity The activity must be supervised by a person authorised in that behalf by the Head teacher of the school (Statutory instrument 2001 No. 2802) Note that this counts as an attendance. It should be used where children are involved in any representative sports event (or trial).
(Authorised absent)
Study leave should be used sparingly and only for year 11 pupils during mock and public examinations Many schools are electing to seek alternatives to study leave as evidence suggests that many pupils do not have the skills to make best use of large amounts of unstructured revision time Any time given to pupils as study leave is authorised absence and should be recorded and reported by the school as such When calculating the use of study leave, and therefore authorised absence, schools must bear in mind that pupils cannot leave school until the last Friday in June.
Traveller absence (Authorised absent)
Traveller child when the family is travelling
U
A school cannot remove a traveller child from the school roll while they are travelling if it is the base school If the pupil is known to be travelling but it is not known whether the pupil is attending educational provision absence should be recorded using Code T If the pupil is known to be dual registered and present at another school attendance should be recorded as Code D If the pupil is known to be present at other educational activity which meet the requirements of the regulation on approved educational activity attendance should be recorded using Codes B, J, P, V, or W as appropriate. Children from traveller families are subject to the same rules as other children in terms of requiring to attend school. However there is a defence available to traveller families if prosecuted for non attendance provided the child has attended for at least 200 sessions in the 12 months ending when legal proceedings are started.
Late (after registration closes) (Unauthorised absence) Schools should actively discourage late arrival, which could provide grounds for prosecution Schools should have a policy on how long registers are kept open, the DfES recommendation is 30 minutes from the beginning of but in periods of bad weather or public transport difficulties they may be kept open for longer This code should be used when a pupil has arrived after the close of registration with no relevant reason to code it otherwise For health and safety reasons a system must be in place to record that a pupil has either arrived late or left the premises during a session
V
Educational visit or trip (Approved Education Activity)
W
School organised trips and visits, including residential trips. This code can also be used for other trips of a strictly educational nature, arranged by other organisations providing they are supervised
Work experience (Approved Education Activity) Work experience under section 560 of the Education Act 1996 Schools must ensure that they check on the attendance of the pupil at the work experience placement and mark the register accordingly Work experience is for pupils in their last two years of compulsory schooling Only supervised work experience can be counted as approved educational activity Work experience as part of an alternative curriculum should not be recorded with this code, that should be "educated off site" and recorded as Code B
! (DfES X) Non-compulsory school age absence (Not counted in possible attendances)
Pupils who have not attained the age of 5 years at the start of the term in which the session takes place or were 16 years before the start of the school year in which it takes place e.g. part-time nursery age pupils,
Y
including nursery age pupils in early years classes (for session that they are not due to attend); and sessions that a 6th Form pupil is not expected to attend. The Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006 require the register to be taken for both compulsory age and non-compulsory age pupils. The difference between the two sets of records is that the school does not have to record whether or not the absence is authorised for noncompulsory age pupils. However it is recommended that this code is used to record sessions that non-compulsory school age children are not expected to attend and use the standard codes to record other absence. This will not affect the schools statistics as they are not collected for noncompulsory school age pupils. If a school places a compulsory school age pupil on a part time timetable, for example as part of re-integration, then the school is authorising the pupil's absence from the sessions not in the timetable. That absence should be recorded under Code C. Schools should not place pupils on part-time timetables for an indefinite period and should monitor it and the pupil. This code must not be used to record the absence of children of compulsory school age or any form of exclusion
Enforced closure (Not counted in possible attendances) Not required to be in school e.g. burst boiler, flood, bad weather etc This code applies to whole school closure, where there is only partial closure, individual pupil absence should be recorded with Code C Where the whole school is forced to close in exceptional circumstances, this can be recorded in electronic attendance recording systems by way of a “system wide” entry for the whole school and applying the enforced closure to all pupils in the school. Where only part of the school is forced to close in exceptional circumstances, e.g. one site housing 2 year groups or classes, this can be recorded in electronic attendance recording systems by way of selecting the year groups or classes and applying the partial enforced closure to all pupils in the year group or class. (See Note 1 below for special arrangements for the 2006/7 academic year). Where the enforced closure relates to pupils following a failure of school/LA provided transport, this can be recorded in electronic attendance recording systems by way of selecting the pupils as a group and applying the partial enforced closure to all pupils in that group. (See Note 1 below for special arrangements for the 2006/7 academic year).
NOTE 1 Electronic attendance/absence recording systems, whether part of MIS systems or not, will not be capable of recording partial closures of schools for “exceptional circumstances” from the start of the 2006/7 academic year. From the start of the 2006/7 academic year, all systems have been designed to apply Code Y as a “system wide” entry for the whole school. Special arrangements, therefore, are being made for the 2006/7 year and it is expected that all systems will be compliant with the new regulations from the start of the 2007/8 academic year. In 2006/7, schools are advised to use Code C (Other authorised absence) in respect of each pupil affected by a partial enforced closure. They must not use any of the codes which have the legal meaning of
approved educational activity as the pupils will be unsupervised and will not be undertaking educational activity. Alternatively, schools could make manual adjustments to print outs of the attendance register on a weekly basis (see page 3). * (DfES Z) Pupil not yet on roll (not counted in possible attendances)
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School MIS systems store details of pupils who are to be admitted in a “pre admission group” which is then “rolled forward” at the start of term. This helps schools to have details on new pupils in their MIS system as soon as possible. However, some pupils do not turn up (because they have started somewhere else) but they are still “on roll” as far as the computer is concerned until they are made a “leaver”. While “on roll” in this way, they will be shown as “unauthorised” absent unless they can be marked as “not yet on roll” in the computer. If a pupil is expected to arrive at a school i.e. in a “pre admission group”, but does not, in fact, arrive to attend the school, the school should advise the LA that the pupil has not been enrolled. Under the 2006 Regulations (Regulation 5), schools must now put pupils on the admissions register on the first day that the school expects them to attend not, as previously, when they first attend. Schools should also remember that all pupils on the admissions register must also be entered on the attendance register and their attendance recorded.
School closed to pupils (not counted in possible attendances)
To be used when the whole school is closed, including for the teachers. e.g. between terms, half terms, occasional days when the whole school (including staff) are on holiday, weekends (if required by the system), teacher INSET days, use of schools as polling stations.
NEW DfES ATTENDANCE CODES, DESCRIPTIONS AND MEANINGS CODE
DESCRIPTION
STATISTICAL MEANING
PHYSICAL MEANING
Present Present Approved Education Activity
In for whole session In for whole session Out for whole session
Authorised absence
Out for whole session
Approved Education Activity
Out for whole session
Authorised absence
Out for whole session
Authorised absence
Out for whole session
Unauthorised absence
Out for whole session
Authorised absence Authorised absence
Out for whole session Out for whole session
Approved Education Activity Present Authorised absence Unauthorised absence
Out for whole session Late for session Out for whole session Out for whole session
Unauthorised absence
Out for whole session
Z
Pupil not yet on roll
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School closed to pupils
Approved Education Activity Authorised absence Authorised absence Authorised absence Unauthorised absence Approved Education Activity Approved Education Activity Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances
Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session Late for session Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session
Y
Present (AM) Present (PM) Educated off site (NOT Dual registration) Other Authorised Circumstances (not covered by another appropriate code/description) Dual registration (i.e. pupil attending other establishment) Excluded (no alternative provision made) Extended family holiday (agreed) Family holiday (NOT agreed or days in excess of agreement) Family holiday (agreed) Illness (NOT medical or dental etc. appointments) Interview Late (before registers closed) Medical/Dental appointments No reason yet provided for absence Unauthorised absence (not covered by any other code/description) Approved sporting activity Religious observance Study leave Traveller absence Late (after registers closed) Educational visit or trip Work experience Non-compulsory school age absence Enforced closure
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D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W X
Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session
Code changes relating specifically to the SIMS Attendance module X
DFES # : SCHOOL CLOSED TO PUPILS
NOT COUNTED IN POSSIBLE ATTENDANCES
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School closed to pupils and staff DfES X : Non compulsory school age absence DfES Z : Pupil not on roll
Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances Not counted in possible attendances
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OUT FOR WHOLE SESSION Out for whole session Out for whole session Out for whole session
APPLICATION FOR PUPIL LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL FOR PARENTAL HOLIDAY
Full name/s of Student …………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………... ………………………………………………………………………………………………... Form/s ……………………………………………………………………………..………... From (first day of absence) ……………… To (last day of absence) ………...……….. Total Number of days ……………………… Reason for application …………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………... Has the student taken time off during School in previous terms/years. Please give details ………………………………………………………………………………………..……... Signature of Parent/Carer ………………………………………… Date ……..……….. PLEASE RETURN TO Mr L BROWN – THANK YOU
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Request seen by the Attendance Officer Agreement Reached
Y/N
Y/N Other Outcome:
Current Att %: Date:
The headteacher will consider the following points before authorising leave 1. The student’s previous attendance history 2. The age of the student/s 3. The student’s stage of education 4. The time of year (SATS or exams). 5. The nature of the trip (an exceptional experience). 6. Holiday already taken/granted within current academic year 7. Whether the parents are restricted in terms of leave from their employer 8. Schools may decide whether or not to authorise leave of absence for a family holiday. Parents or carers should not expect such leave to be granted as of right. Permission will not be given if it applied for after the holiday has taken place. 9. Normally a student shall not be grated more than 2 weeks leave of absence in any academic year.
School Holiday Authorisation Calculation Chart Name of Pupil…………………………………….
Form………………..
The merits of each individual request should be evaluated by providing answers to ALL the following questions and scoring accordingly. (* Where the holiday already taken in the current academic year exceeds the DfES guideline “i.e. maximum of 10 days in any academic year”, any further requests should NOT be authorised.)
Points Possible When is the holiday planned for? September = 2pts May/June = 2pts Year 11 Dec = 2pts Other dates = 1pt Pupil’s attendance level is? Less than 70% = 5pts 70% to 80% = 4pts 80% to 85% = 3pts (Up until Autumn half term use the % figure from the 85% to 93% = 2pts previous year.) More than 93% = 1pt How close is the pupil to a SATs Non-SATs/Exam Year = 1pt assessment or other examination? More than 16 wks = 1pt 8 – 16 weeks = 2pts 2 – 8 weeks = 3pts less than 2 weeks = 4pts How much holiday leave has already been 8 or more = 4pts authorised in current academic year?* 5 to 7 days = 3pts 2 to 4 days = 2pts 1 to 3 days = 1pt Was holiday taken during the previous 8 or more = 4pts acacemic year? 5 to 7 days = 3pts 2 to 4 days = 2pts 1 to 3 days = 1pt Subtotal Any special mitigating circumstances/aspects of the holiday which can be classed as part of that pupils curriculum requirements (& work set to satisfy these) as below:
Subtract points subtotal.
Points
2 from
Details of mitigation
Total Leave for family holiday where the total is 8 or more should NOT be authorised The only exception to the above may be where there are, in the opinion of the head teacher ‘exceptional circumstances.’ (incl. religious and cultural considerations; add comment in mitigation box). If the Local Authority has begun legal proceedings holiday should NOT be authorised.
DELETE WHERE APPROPRIATE:-
REQUEST APPROVED / REQUEST DENIED
Completed by…………………………………………………… Date…………………………
Dear Thank you for your recent holiday request form. I am able to confirm that on this occasion I am able to authorise your child’s leave of absence from date to date, for the purpose of a family holiday. Requests for holiday leave are never taken lightly and in taking this decision I have considered name of pupil overall level of attendance, academic attainment and the impact any leave may have on public examinations and tests (see attached form). Please contact me to discuss a possible study pack or project outline that child’s name can complete whilst away. I hope that you have a good holiday and that name of pupil finds it an interesting and stimulating experience. Yours sincerely,
Curriculum Support Co-ordinator
Dear Thank you for your recent holiday request form. On this occasion I am not able to authorise your child’s leave of absence from date to date, for the purpose of a family holiday. I have no wish to deprive families of a well earned family holiday but my first concern has to be the educational development of pupil name. Requests for holiday leave are never taken lightly and in taking this decision I have considered name of pupil overall level of attendance, academic attainment and the impact any leave may have on public examinations and tests. If you decide to go ahead with your proposed holiday, pupil name absences will be marked as unauthorised. I should inform you that unauthorised absences are referred to the Local Authority who may under certain circumstance consider issuing you with a Penalty Notice or other legal action in relation to unauthorised absences. If you wish to discuss this matter further please feel free to make an appointment to see me. Yours sincerely,
Curriculum Support Co-ordinator
Dear
Further to our meeting on date. I am able to confirm that on this occasion I am able to authorise your child’s extended leave of absence from date to date. Requests for extended holiday leave are only ever granted in exceptional circumstances. Outline reason for authorisation. Please contact me to discuss a possible study pack or project outline that child’s name can complete whilst away. I look forward to name of pupil returning on date and hope that name of pupil finds it an interesting and stimulating experience. I must remind you that if name of pupil does not return to school within ten school days of the agreed date, without reasonable cause, name of pupil may be removed from the school roll. Yours sincerely,
Curriculum Support Co-ordinator
ALERT LETTER Re :Attendance during Academic Year 2005-06 :The average attendance at Simon Balle School during the last academic year was 91.6%. This is below the expected OFSTED level of 93% at secondary level and therefore will be a priority for the school over the coming year. As you can see from the above, your child’s attendance fell below this level last academic year. While genuine illness and holiday may have accounted for much of the absence we are bringing this to your attention so you are aware of the absence level and the effect this can have on your child’s education. When attendance falls below 90% there are obviously concerns and we are duty bound to investigate low attendance levels. The Education Welfare Officer is committed to supporting this school in achieving good school attendance for each pupil at this school and will be monitoring your child’s attendance over this first half term with ………………..After this period, they will review you child’s attendance level to decide what action, if any needs to be taken. We are sure that you would wish for to achieve his full potential and he can only do that by attending school regularly. If you would like to discuss this matter further, the school or the Education Welfare Officer will be only too happy to listen and provide support if necessary. We enclose a copy of the latest DFES booklet on school attendance for your information, and hope, that by bringing this to your attention, an improvement in attendance may be seen during this academic year.
IMPROVEMENT LETTER
Re:Attendance during Autumn term 2006:Both the school and Education Welfare Officer would like to thank you for your efforts in ensuring improvement in attendance. Since our letter at the beginning of term, we have noted a huge improvement in this as you will see from the attendance certificate enclosed. This is a great achievement. I am sure you are aware that good attendance and punctuality benefits academic progress as well as helping him/her settle into school each day and sustain school friendships. It also supports your child to get into a good routine for any future education, training or employment. We thank you again and hope year.
continues with his/her success this academic
NO IMPROVEMENT LETTER
Re:Attendance during Autumn Term 2006:Both the school and Education Welfare Officer have been closely monitoring your child’s attendance which sadly has shown little improvement. Should this matter not receive your urgent attention, it will leave little option but to take the matter a stage further. This would result in inviting you as parents to attend a meeting with the school and Education Welfare Officer to discuss the issues affecting your child’s attendance. As parents you do have a legal responsibility to ensure …. regular and punctual attendance at school. Both ……………….. and the Education Welfare Officer will continue to monitor your child’s attendance over the next four weeks. We trust that the necessary steps are taken to address our concerns and it will not be necessary to meet to discuss the situation further.
NO IMPROVEMENT MEETING LETTER
Re: D.o.b: A Registered Pupil at The Sele School Simon Balle School and Education Welfare Officer are both concerned to note that …. has been absent for school in … separate periods since the beginning of term. The School have yet to be given a reason for … of these absences. …’s attendance is currently % and further absence may lead to him/ her being referred to the Education Welfare Officer for further investigation. We would like to invite you to a meeting at Simon Balle School on …at … to discuss …’s attendance to prevent this situation. If you are unable to make this appointment please do not hesitate to contact the school on the above number to arrange a more suitable time. Yours sincerely
IMPROVEMENT MONITOR LETTER
Re:Attendance during Autumn term 2006:Both the school and Education Welfare Officer would like to thank you for your efforts in ensuring improvement in attendance. Since our letter at the beginning of term, we have noted a huge improvement in this as you will see from the attendance certificate enclosed. This is a great achievement. I am sure you are aware that good attendance and punctuality benefits academic progress as well as helping him/her settle into school each day and sustain school friendships. It also supports your child to get into a good routine for any future education, training or employment. We thank you again and hope year.
continues with his/her success this academic
What does mean?
This is Simon. He is in Year 7 and has 90% attendance. Simon thinks this i s pretty good, so do his parents. Are they right?
Do you know what your child’s attendance is? Do you know what it means?
What could Simon’s potential earnings l ook like?
Potential Earnings average per hour Graduate degree £15.01 per hour
A levels £10.25 per hour GCSE’s £9.02 per hour No qualifications £7.44 per hour
90% attendance = ½ day missed every week!! (Would your boss like you to be off work thi s much??) That’s practically part time! Lets look a little closer……..
1 school year at 90% attendance = 4 whole weeks of lessons MISSED!!! 90% attendance over 5 years of secondary school = ½ year of lessons MISSED!!! . What impact might this have on Si mon’s lif e……?
Research suggests that 17 missed school days a year = GCSE grade DROP in achievement. (DfES)
If a school can improve attendance by 1% , they will see a 5 - 6% improvement in attainment (Department of Education and Skills)
Please help u s and your child by ensuring their attendance remains above 95% , allowing them to achieve their potential