At Ravensthorpe Primary, we work in partnership with parents to ensure children attend school regularly and are punctual to school. We expect pupils to attend every day that the school is open, unless there are exceptional circumstances which have led to an absence being authorised.

We know that when children are in school every day, on time, then this is reflected in good progress being made in the classroom and will give children the best chance to achieve their full potential.

 PUNCTUALITY - ARE YOU HOT (HERE ON TIME?)

Regular lateness has a negative impact on children and leads to 

• Missed time to catch up with their friends and prepare for the day
• Missed learning
• Unauthorised absences being recorded

SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN RELATION TO LATENESS

• A commitment to support children and families reduce late arrival to school
• Monitor all lateness
• Logging of all documentation, records of phone calls etc. in relation to lateness
• Follow the policy and issue the relevant letters in a timely manner
• Provide support for families to identify barriers and find solutions

OUR SCHOOL DAY IS FROM 8.40AM UNTIL 3.10PM.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS IN RELATION TO THEIR CHILD’S ATTENDANCE TO SCHOOL​

• Parents are legally responsible for making sure their child gets a suitable full-time education.​
• Make every attempt for dental and medical appointments to be made outside of school time. When this is not the case, provide evidence of these appointments.​
• Contact the school office as early as possible on each day of absence to explain why.​
• In exceptional circumstances, parents may submit a request for a leave of absence. This must take place prior to the planned absence. Approval will be at the school’s discretion – not for holidays. ​
• Provide medical evidence of illness where there are numerous incidences of absence due to illness (a bit like work)​
• Communicate with school staff where there are issues getting their child to school – this way the school can support.​
• Keep school informed of anything at home or outside school that may be impacting on your child’s attendance.

SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• A commitment to support children and families improve attendance
• Monitor all attendance​
• First day calling – happens every day where school has not been notified
• Where school has not seen a child for a few days, staff will carry out a Safe and Welfare Check (home visit).​
• Logging of all documentation, records of phone calls etc. in relation to absence​
• Follow the policy and issue the relevant letters in a timely manner.​
• Provide support for families to identify barriers and find solutions to improve their child’s attendance.​
• Consider applications for leave of absence in exceptional circumstances – unable to authorise family holiday requests
• Working with external agencies to improve attendance e.g. the attendance hub ​

Ravensthorpe employs a team of staff to manage our attendance data and support families where there is a concern about absence or punctuality. 

Mrs Keniston – School Attendance Officer

Mrs Mackereth – Pastoral Support Officer

Miss Bryan – Designated Safeguarding Lead 

SCHOOL INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE WHOLE SCHOOL AND INDIVIDUAL ATTENDANCE.​

• Daily monitoring class attendance​

• Weekly 100% class attendance wins a ‘letter on the door’​
• Classes with the best attendance each week get to spin the wheel; prizes awarded​
• Highest attendance each half term – special lunch​
• Children with 100% attendance at the end of the year entered in a draw for a bike and other prizes who don’t win​
• Termly great attendance certificates awarded

DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS 

The Extended Hours GP Service is an opportunity for children to see a doctor on an evening between 6:30pm and 8:30pm and every Saturday and Sunday between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

The service can ensure that

• Children can have access to appointments outside of school hours, they do not need to be taken out of school for GP appointments and, therefore, do not miss any learning.
• A child being removed from lessons for GP appointments can be disruptive to your child's day.
• Working parents do not have to take time off work to take their child to the doctors and therefore reduce issues with their employer.

To assist you with planning any holidays, please view the Term Dates.