Attendance and Absence
Every Day Counts!
At Wygate Park Academy, we firmly believe that openness and collaboration are the key to success.
We set a culture of high expectations for all of our school community and firmly believe that in order for children to achieve well they need to be in school.
We understand that there are a variety of scenarios that can affect a child's attendance, which is why our approach is built upon support, understanding and transparency. We will always look to engage with families to understand how we can help as a school and that, as families, you understand the full process beyond what we as a school manage and why discussions/presenting of evidence is required.
Together we can ensure that your child attends school and has the best possible start in their educational journey!
Absence Procedure
If your child is absent for any reason, it is important that you make contact with the office either by telephone or via the MyEd app by 8.30am - giving reasons for absence.
If your child is not in school for registration for 8.50am and we have not heard from you, the office staff will contact you. If we are unable to reach you we will attempt to contact the additional contacts that you have provided. If we are still unable to make contact with you, a home visit may be carried out.
Persistent Absence
A Persistent Absentee is any student whose attendance falls below 90% as stated within government guidelines.
Persistent absence has a detrimental effect on pupils, as work missed is not often fully completed- leaving such pupils at a disadvantage to their peers.
Pupils with poor attendance are less likely to achieve their academic potential and may find they suffer socially. We have a responsibility to ensure that pupils are given all the opportunities to both succeed both academically, socially and for their future life choices, hence the academy having a designated Attendance Team to support pupils and families where there are concerns regarding a student's attendance.
Holidays
All holidays will be unauthorised. If you submit a holiday request, a meeting will be arranged to discuss what the procedure is so that you are fully informed about your decision. Any holiday absence will run the risk of a fine being issued by the Local Authority, which the Attendance Team will discuss with you.
What to do if your child has an appointment:
We request that all routine medical, dental or other appointments, where possible, are made outside of school time. Where an urgent doctor's or hospital appointment is required during school hours, we request that you provide medical evidence in the form of an appointment card or letter in order to authorise the absence from school. We ask where possible that parents/carers ensure that your child attends school before and after the appointment to maximise their learning opportunities for that day.
Medicines
If your child is prescribed medicine by the doctor, then the following rules apply:
- Medicine prescribed three times per day WILL NOT be given by staff. Parents can give the prescribed dosage morning, after school and bedtime.
- Medicine prescribed four times per day WILL be given by a member of the administration staff, but parents will need to complete and sign a form giving permission for this to happen.
For safety reasons, no children should be bringing medicines or tablets to school in their school bag. Any medicine brought into school, must be given to staff in the Front Office, where it will be securely stored. Generally, we would expect a child to have no more than 48 hours off school if they are given medication from the doctor unless necessary.
Punctuality
The Academy gates open at 8.40am and we expect all learners to be in class at the start of the school day at 8.50am, registers are marked at this time.
The Academy has a strategy to support punctuality which is known as ‘Late Gate’. Parents/carers are required to provide an explanation for any late attendance. Persistent lateness may result in parents/carers being contacted by one of the Trust Education Welfare Officers.
Leave of Absence
Government regulations introduced in September 2013 state that pupils should not be taken on holiday during term time. The law states that parents do not have an automatic right to take their child out of school for this.
Any absence may now only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. The decision rests with the Headteacher and Trust Educational Welfare Officers.
Should you need to take your child out of school for exceptional circumstances during term time, you must apply in writing to the Headteacher, at least four weeks in advance of the period of absence. An appointment may need to be made with the Headteacher and/or Education Welfare Officer. You will be notified of the outcome of your request in writing.
Absence could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued under Section 444(B) of the Education Act 1996, as is in line with the academy Attendance Policy.
Persistent Absence
A persistent absentee is any student whose attendance falls below 90% as stated within government guidelines. Persistent absence has a detrimental effect on pupils as work missed is often not fully completed leaving pupils at a disadvantage to their peers.
Pupils with poor attendance are less likely to achieve their academic potential and may find that they suffer socially. We have a responsibility to ensure that pupils are given all the opportunities to succeed both academically, socially and for their future life choices, hence the academy have a designated Attendance Team to support pupils and families where there are concerns regarding student’s attendance.
Support for Attendance
The academy monitors the attendance and punctuality of each individual pupils closely daily and follows up all absence which is unexplained with parents/carers as soon as possible by telephone, written communication and/or home visits. If a pupil’s attendance becomes a concern to us, then contact will be made with parents/carers to discuss this further and support put in place where needed. Working together to support your child is key in order to ensure that they are achieving their academic potential and to support their well-being.
If you would like to discuss any concerns that you have around your child’s attendance or are aware of any issues which may impact your child’s attendance, please contact the Attendance Team directly on 01205 319900 to discuss what support can be offered.
Celebration
Celebrating and positively rewarding pupils for good attendance is a part of academy culture. This takes place during form time and year group assemblies as well as celebration assemblies throughout the year.
Pupils attendance is a focus of form time each day, discussions are had around good attendance habits and pupils are celebrated for their good attendance and punctuality.
We recognise 100% attendance as being a huge achievement and one that needs significant reward and celebration! The 100% attendance awards are rewards for those pupils who show resilience and excellent attitudes to school.
