At Grange Priamry Academy we recognise that attending school daily and on time has a positive impact on learning, progress and therefore the best life chances for our children’s success. We must therefore ensure that attendance and punctuality are the highest they possibly can be in order to prepare our children for their future adult life.
Here at Grange Primary Academy, we strive for every child to achieve 96% attendance or above.
It is the responsibility of everyone in our school community - parents, staff, governors and children - to ensure that they achieve this. Therefore we constantly monitor and review the attendance and punctuality of all of our children.
We promote and encourage excellent attendance and punctuality by working collaboratively with parents and carers and acting early to address patterns of absence. The Wellbeing Team will invite parents and carers to attendance surgeries should they be concerned about a child’s attendance. They can offer support and guidance and if required, support through an Early Help Assessment.
There is clear evidence that any absence from school can and will have an impact on a child's attainment. At Grange we have robust Attendance and Punctuality Strategies in place (attached documents below) to ensure that your child’s attendance and punctuality are the best they possibly can be.
Celebrating Attendance
Children who have achieved 96% attendance or above, along with no late marks, will receive a small token prize at the end of each full term. This will be calculated accumulatively, taking their attendance and punctuality from the beginning of the school year.
We also recognise that for some children, it may be impossible for them to achieve 96% attendance or above during the year due to adverse situations such as on-going medical appointments, hospital operations or other unforeseen circumstances. In order to still celebrate the efforts of those children who strive to attend school on every day that is physically possible, we arrange a termly rewards.
Absence
The process of education is life long, and we build on what we already know. Therefore, if children are absent without an authorised reason they are affecting their future.
Each year there are 190 school days which leaves 175 days for all other events including birthday treats, non-urgent medical appointments and holidays.
Reporting an Absence
Should your child be absent from school, it is a parent’s responsibility to notify school at the earliest possible convenience via the absence line (01536 503368). School must be notified on each day of your child’s absence, with a specific reason for the absence, not just that they are ill.
Home Visits
Parents and carers should be aware that home visits are completed by all United Learning schools as a standard procedure when children are absent from school. Should The Wellbeing Team have any safeguarding concerns for a particular child, home visits will be completed to these families in the first instance. Home visits allow school staff to see the child and discuss the absence with parents and carers, as well as being able to offer support if required.
Punctuality
Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure that their child is not late for school. This can be extremely disruptive to a child’s daily routine and also mean that they miss a considerable amount of valuable learning time.