Attendance

'Every Day Counts!'

Our strategy is communicated with parents and pupils right from our first meetings at the start of children's Reception year. We over communicate this to pupils in school and to parents in letters, termly newsletters and in other communication. Our policies and procedures are embedded in our vision and in our motto of 'aspiring for excellence.' Children cannot achieve academically, personally or socially if they do not attend school regularly. They miss out on the incredible experiences we offer both inside and outside of the classroom and the extensive support we give for pupil mental health and wellbeing. Excellent attendance at school is an expectation at Newcroft to support pupils in achieving their best. We aim to achieve 96% average whole school attendance, or above. Our whole school attendance is significantly above the national average every year due to our rigorous approaches and our supportive parents. 

Why is excellent attendance so Important? 

Excellent attendance at school allows a child to have the best possible start in life.

• To learn
• To build confidence and self-esteem
• To understand responsibility
• To develop new skills
• To grow as individuals
• To gain qualifications
• To make new friends, have fun and develop life skills
• To develop awareness of other cultures

Rigorous monitoring and Support for Families 

Mrs Aukland, our Head teacher, is our attendance officer. She is supported in the rigorous daily, weekly and monthly monitoring of attendance by Mrs Stafford, our Office Manager, as well as Mrs Liz Flynn, our school's Education Welfare Officer (EWO). 

We follow our Attendance Policy to positively support families whose children are not attending school regularly enough or are late frequently. We are successful in helping families to reverse poor attendance due to our partnership approach with parents, their wider family, the pupils themselves and many multi agencies such as health, social care and benefits organisations. 

Parents are informed regularly by letter, of their child's attendance, if there is a cause for concern. Meetings and bespoke support is offered to all families who need help with their child's attendance. 

All parents can view their child's attendance on their WEDUC app, should they wish to do so. Attendance is reported formally on pupil's mid year and end of year reports. 

Informing us of your child's absence 

Parents should call the office, send an email to the office or send a WEDUC to inform them us their child’s absence before 9am on the day of absence and each day of absence (unless agreed otherwise e.g. a hospital stay agreed with the office/ Mrs Aukland). It is really important that you inform us of why they are absent. We can only authorise absences if we know why children are off school – it is not enough to say your child will not be in and we will contact you for a reason.

Illness

It can be tricky deciding whether to keep your child off school when they are unwell. Most illnesses are very mild, like a minor headache or a slight cold. If your child is mildly unwell with a cold for example, with no high temperature, it is fine to send them to school. If you decide to keep your child at home, it’s important to phone the school before 8:40am to let them know why they will be absent. Parents need to call school every day, it is not acceptable to say that your child will be absent all week.

Please see the following NHS advice if you are unsure whether to send your child to school.

In our Administration of Medicines Policy, you will find information about conditions that are infectious or contagious and what to do in terms of absence. 

Is it ever ok for my child to miss school?

There are some circumstances when school will allow a pupil to be absent. If you want to take your child out of school for any reason other than illness, contact the school office beforehand. Birthdays, shopping trips and days out are not reasons to be absent.

What should I do if my child is anxious or worried about going to school?

Sometimes, children and young people are anxious or worried about going to school. This could be because of reasons inside and outside school. You may feel, under these circumstances, it is best to allow your child to miss school. This will not help find a solution. If your child is worried about going to school, you must contact Mrs Aukland to discuss the concern so it can be resolved.

Routine medical and dental appointments

Wherever possible, make medical and dental appointments after school or in school holidays. If appointments cannot be avoided, please inform our office in advance of the appointment, who will request evidence of a booking letter or text.

Term time holidays

National statutory guidance dictates that head teachers should not authorise term time holidays. We will authorise a single day of absence for a family wedding, funeral or christening for example.  We will not authorise a week or two week long holiday to attend a wedding as this is a term time holiday. For more information, please see our Attendance Policy.

Leave for Religious Reasons or Special Occasions 

Please see our attendance policy, or call into the office to request a leave of absence form. We will always authorise absences for religious observances.

Please support us in delivering the best for your children during their time at Newcroft. 

Additional Guidance for Parents

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/back-into-school/resources-for-families/