Staincliffe CE Junior School

Attendance Policy

At Staincliffe CofE Junior school, we are committed to Safeguarding.

Please click here to view our current Attendance Policy.

Attendance & Communication

Everybody at Staincliffe CE Junior School is committed to ensuring that each of our children gets the best possible start to life. One way we can do this is through ensuring regular school attendance. Evidence shows that children who attend school regularly are more successful, not only in school, but in all areas of life.

A Collective Approach

Parents/carers, staff, governors and Batley Multi Academy Trust family of schools work together in partnership to ensure that maximum attendance is achieved at all times. Good attendance and punctuality is promoted throughout a child’s time at Staincliffe in order that good habits can be formed early in their academic career. The school aims to develop each and every child, regardless of gender, ethnicity, and disability to their full potential. Children need regular attendance in order to become established within the class, to achieve their academic potential and become a confident member of the school community.

Parents/carers have a responsibility to ensure that their children arrive at school on time, and that their children attend school for the maximum number of sessions possible. Parents/carers must inform the school before the start of the school day, on each day of absence, as to the reason for an absence.

You should not take your children out of school during term time unless you are granted authorised leave of absence by the Headteacher. Where parents/carers have failed to ensure that their child of compulsory school age is regularly attending the school, we may consider issuing a penalty notice. A penalty notice is a fine issued to each parent of each child (£80 if paid within 21 days or £160 if paid within 28 days. In the case of repeated fines, where a second fine is issued for the same child within any three year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160, issued to each parent of each child). This is paid directly to the local authority.

We know that illness is unavoidable and to be expected - it is very important to inform the school on the first day of absence with the reason either by phone, by email or in person at the school office. All schools have a ‘First Day Calling’ Procedure, which means if school has not received a reason for absence, then the following procedure will be followed:

1. A phone call and/or text to the first name on the contact list asking for a call to school to notify and confirm the reason for absence.
2. If there is no response, school will ring numbers on the contact list, until a reply is received.
3. If school have had no response, we will send a second text and a home visit will be made if possible, by either school staff or other agencies working with the family.
4. School will contact the Police if all other stages have been completed; there is still no contact regarding the absent child and school have concerns for welfare. We need to ensure that all children are accounted for, and if we are unable to make contact, then the Police will be informed. Please note that this procedure is in place in all schools to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and families.

Should your child fall ill, or have a bump whilst at school, a member of the office team will ring home for any injury above the neck; any injury we think needs proper medical attention (i.e. A&E); if a child is physically sick or if a child has persistent symptoms. We will not ring home for any minor injuries such as paper cuts; splinters; grazes; minor twisted ankle injuries; headache or toothache (unless they present persistently).

We hope that you will continue to support us in improving our school attendance by making sure the children are here everyday and learning. Please speak to a member of staff if you need any support with your child’s attendance.