Late/Absence Procedures

Attendance

Hibaldstow Academy seeks to ensure that all its pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise his/her true potential. Our Academy strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment, whereby each member of the school community feels wanted and secure. All school staff work with pupils and their families to ensure each pupil attends school regularly and punctually.

The school will establish an effective system of incentives and rewards that acknowledges the efforts of pupils to improve their attendance and timekeeping and will challenge the behaviour of those pupils and parents who give low priority to attendance and punctuality.

To meet these objectives Hibaldstow Academy establish an effective and efficient system of communication with pupils, parents and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support.

The school gate opens just after 8.45 and pupils can come into school from 8.50am/ 8.55am depending on their class. Registers are taken promptly at 9.00a.m when the school gate is closed. Registers are also taken when the children return to classes after lunch.

Absence

We understand that pupils become ill, where this is the case please inform the school office before the start of the school day either by telephone or text message. Where a pupil is absent and no information has been received the office will call and/ or text parents to find the reason for absence.

Absence for medical appointments are permissible as we understand you cannot always have the flexibility for these to suit both yourself and school. However, we do ask that you please try to book routine appointments such as check ups after school, at the weekend or during school holidays. Where appointments have been made, please inform the office as soon as possible to add a note to the attendance registers.

Pupils leaving school or returning from appointments will need to signed out/ in from the school office.

Monitoring

Our leadership team monitor attendance data regularly and identify pupils where persistent absenteeism is developing.

In school with these situations we take a graduated approach:

1- Our attendance officer and/or learning mentor will contact the parent to discuss the issue

2 - an advisory notice letter is sent to parents to highlight the low attendance

3 - invitations to a meeting with school leadership are sent to discuss pupil attendance and ways we can support attendance

4 - use of the Early Help system to formally record and direct support for families, this may include referral to the Local Authority Education Inclusion team, who will advise the school of any further action that will be taken.

Punctuality

If a child arrives at school after the close of the gate at 9.00 a.m. they must enter with an adult through the main school office and the adult must sign the pupil in with the reason for being late. Where prior arrangements have not been agreed, he/she will be deemed late. Registers close at 9.05a.m. and arrival at school after this time, without prior approval or extenuating circumstances, will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Persistent lateness will also follow the same procedures as above for absenteeism.

What is expected of the pupils?

To respect themselves and others
To do all they can to attend school regularly and punctually
To inform a trusted adult if they feel that they are being bullied
To encourage friendship and a sense of belonging
To be happy and encourage others to feel happy

What is expected of the Parents?

To keep requests for their child to be absent to a minimum
To offer a reason, or medical proof, for any period of absence, preferably before the absence or on the first day of absence
To ensure that their child arrives at school on time, a reason should be offered for any lateness
To work closely with the school and Local Authority Attendance and Inclusion Service to resolve any problems that may impede a child’s attendance
To take family holidays during school holiday periods and be aware that any requests for holidays during term time will be refused except in special/exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the school leadership team and/or directors.
To be aware of curriculum requirements and be especially vigilant with regards to attendance during important academic times such as SATS
To support their child and recognise their successes and achievements