Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you are well and managing the many challenges associated with illness and self-isolation. Although our whole school Covid related absence currently averages around 50 pupils per day, we continue to stay cheerful and operate as near to normal as possible. We also have several Covid related staff absences to manage.
I have been so impressed with the commitment to home learning for pupils who are self-isolating. It’s never easy working from home but with your support, children have managed to keep up with their learning. I would also like to say a huge thank you to class teachers. They have gone out of their way to keep in touch with parents and pupils who are self-isolating and have adapted their planning to ensure that children haven’t been left behind.
As we move out of this phase of absence, it seems timely to share our new attendance policy with you. School attendance is an essential part of safeguarding. As you would expect, we believe that regular attendance is crucial if children are to benefit from their education and achieve their potential. At Bramhope Primary, measures have been put in place to monitor and address concerns over attendance and absence. These are outlined in our Attendance policy which contains the following key messages:
- The attendance of children from Reception to Year 6 is monitored.
- The Headteacher and DDSL (Mrs Judd) look at children’s attendance under 95% with a particular focus on those under 90% (the figure classed as persistent absence). Parents may be contacted if their child’s attendance and/or punctuality is low, and a meeting may be requested.
- If a child is absent from school for 10 days and cannot be located, then the child may be reported to the local authority as CME – a child missing in education.
- Lateness is recorded if pupils arrive in school after 9:00am.
- Parents are encouraged to book medical appointments outside of school hours, where possible.
- Parents need to contact school on the first day of absence through illness. They should also contact school every day following this, if their child remains absent.
- If pupils have experienced any vomiting or diarrhoea, they cannot return to school for 48 hours.
- If no reason is provided for the absence or there is not a legitimate reason provided, then the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
- If there are significant concerns about a child’s attendance through persistent illness, then the school reserves the right to request medical evidence.
- Leave of absence cannot be granted by Headteachers unless there are exceptional circumstances. There is no right to any leave or holiday in term time. Leave of absence is granted entirely at the Headteacher’s discretion.
- In accordance with DFE policy, leave of absence due to religious observance will be authorised.
- Parents will also be notified in writing if the absence is unauthorised and will be advised that, if the absence is taken, this may lead to a Penalty Notice being issued by the local authority.
Finally, although Bramhope Primary School does not award certificates for 100% attendance, we are appreciative of the efforts parents make to ensure their children attend school whenever possible.
Please click HERE to read our attendance policy.
