Attendance

Attendance at John Bamford

The importance of being at school

Our mission statement ‘Learning for life’ fosters the importance of education in a child’s life. Every day a child learns new things, has new experiences and takes another step closer to their future. Research clearly demonstrates the link between regular attendance and educational progress and attainment.

Parents/carers and the school staff should work in partnership in making education a success and in ensuring that all children have full and equal access to all that the school has to offer.

As a school, we will encourage parents and carers to ensure that their child achieves maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent this are identified and acted on promptly.

How to report your child’s absence

If your child is absent from school you must report your child's absence by 9:05am.You can do this by ringing school on 01889 228689 or emailing the office at office@johnbamford.staffs.sch.uk.

You can also talk to a member of staff on duty between 8:45 am and 8:55 am.

If there has been no contact regarding your child's absence you will be contacted by a member of the school's office staff.

Authorised and unauthorised absences

Authorised absence

This is absence for which the school gives approval having received a satisfactory explanation and/or evidence from the parent (s).

Unauthorised absence

This is absence for which the school does not give approval, having considered all the circumstances.

Punctuality

Punctuality is very important and can have a great effect on your child's attendance and education.

If a child arrives just five minutes late 3 times in a week, they will miss 10 hours of education in a school year.
Punctuality is linked to attendance. If your child arrives after the doors close at 8:55am then they will be given a 'L' mark on the register.
Punctuality is important as it sets your child up for the future.
Arriving on time gives your child opportunity to meet with their friends on the playground, leading to improved social development and self-confidence.
If your child arrives on time they will be in a positive frame of mind to make the most of the days learning activities.
If a child arrives late they are likely to feel unsettled and embarrassed and less confident than their classmates as the lesson moves on.

Please remember that registration begins at 8:45am and the doors close at 8:55am.

Holidays during term time

The Governing Body have agreed in line with Staffordshire guidance that holidays taken during term time will be unauthorized.

When requesting a holiday please put your request in writing. You will then receive a letter explaining that the holiday taken will not be authorized.

If the holiday taken considerably lowers your child's attendance you may receive a letter explaining this and your child's attendance may be discussed with the Staffordshire Education Welfare Worker.

Penalty notices

Penalty Notices can be issued for as little as one period of unauthorised leave and if a parent / carer fails to ensure regular school attendance. Take a look at the link below for more information.

From 1^st January 2018 Staffordshire County Council informed schools of new guidance regarding penalty notices for absence from school.

A penalty notice/fine (£60 per child, per parent) will be considered appropriate if:

A child has been persistently absent. Persistently absent means 20 sessions (the equivalent of ten school days) of unauthorised absence over a period of 12 school weeks. The absences do not have to be consecutive.
There is a period of unauthorised leave of absence (a period could be as little as one day of leave that has not been approved), e.g. for holidays in term time. Term time leave can only be authorised for exceptional circumstances.
A child is persistently late. Persistently late means late for ten sessions over a period of 12 school weeks.
A child who has been excluded is in a public place during school hours during the first 5 days of an exclusion.

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/education/welfareservice/Attendance/home.aspx

Our attendance scheme

Children are awarded for their attendance every term.

Certificates are awarded as follows:

Bronze certificate- 96%-97% attendance

Silver certificate 98%-99% attendance

Gold certificate 100% attendance

Every term classes have the chance to compete to be the class with the best attendance. The winning class will receive a special treat.

All classes will have their attendance recorded on The Bamford Beat. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be highlighted.

At the end of the year the class with the best attendance will receive an extra Forest School session.

Poor attendance

The Staffordshire Education Welfare Worker (EWW) regularly visits John Bamford to discuss attendance figures.

If your child's attendance falls below 90% the EWW may arrange to meet with you to discuss this.

If your child's attendance falls below 90% due to illness you may be asked to provide medical evidence as to why your child was ill.

Please take a look at the link below for advice on illness and absence from school.

https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Yourchildatschool/Pages/Illness.aspx

Please see our Attendance Policy for more information