At Anstey Junior School we believe that regular school attendance is essential if children are to achieve their full potential. We value the attendance of all pupils. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind and can put them at risk of wider harm. There is a wide range of evidence as to the health and wellbeing benefits of school-age education. Research commissioned by the Department for Education shows missing school for even a day can mean a child is less likely to achieve good progress, which can have a damaging effect on their life chances. As set out in our attendance policy, we will work with families to identify the reasons for poor attendance and try to resolve any difficulties at the earliest opportunity.

Our attendance policy aims to give clear guidance to staff, parents, pupils, and governors to:

• Promote good attendance, enabling pupil’s achievement by establishing the highest possible levels of attendance and punctuality.
• Recognise the key role of all staff in promoting good attendance.
• Provide a clear framework for monitoring and responding to pupil absences, acting early to address patterns of absence.
• Building strong relationships with families to ensure pupils have the support in place to attend school.
• Promote positive support systems and advocate multi-agency approaches to improve attendance.
• Make parents aware of their legal responsibilities and ensure their children have access to the education to which they are entitled.

We recognise that attendance is a matter for the whole school community. Our attendance policy should not be viewed in isolation; it is a strand that runs through all aspects of school improvement, supported by our policies on safeguarding, prevention of bullying, behaviour, and inclusive learning. The attendance policy also considers the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other relevant legislation.

Absence and Lateness Procedure

• Parents should notify the school before 9.00 am if a child is going to be absent by calling 01420 84486 or via email to school.office@anstey-jun.hants.sch.uk
• If a child is absent and a message has not been received by 9.00 am office staff will text parents to find out why the pupil is absent and if no response telephone after that.
• Registration is open from 8.35 until 8.45am. Children arriving after 8.45am but before 9.15am will be marked late. Children arriving after 9.15am will be marked as having an unauthorised absence for the session. An accompanying adult should sign in children arriving at reception after these times.
• If the absence is known in advance, a written note is required (letter or email the school office).
• A list of unexplained absences is produced daily. A text or phone message plus follow-up letter are used to ascertain reasons for absence.
• The attendance system used in school automatically records any unexplained absences as unauthorised absence.
• Children with low attendance are reviewed each half term in an attendance meeting with the senior attendance lead and attendance officer. 

Medical and Dental Appointments

• If possible routine appointments should be made outside school hours
• If an appointment is made in school time an explanatory note should be sent to school on the day before the appointment (letter or email).
• Parents should sign children out and back in again when attending appointments during the school day

• Where a pupil has a verified and chronic health condition, we will aim to work with parents to ensure children have access to education and provide appropriate support in line with Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school and Hampshire policies regarding supporting children with health issues.

Holidays

• Parents should avoid taking their children away during term time.
• Family holidays should not be taken in term time. The Headteacher will not normally give permission for absence simply because holidays cost less during term time or for family occasions such as birthdays.

Fines for Holidays During Term Time

In September 2013 the Government introduced new legislation that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.  This means that absences for holidays in term time are likely to be unauthorised.  The Government guidance on the DfE website states that parents can be fined for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from the school.  From September 2015, Hampshire County Council has made the decision to fine any parent who has a child with 5 or more days of unauthorised absence. In this situation both parents will be fined.  If a second unauthorised absence of 5 or more days occurs this will result in parents being taken to court.

For full details please read our attendance policy, available in the policy section of our website.