Our school attendance target for every child is at least 97%
School attendance in the school year 2023-2024 was 95% this was above the National figure.
We expect all children on roll to attend every day, when the school is in session, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so. We do all we can to encourage the children to attend, and to put in place appropriate procedures. We believe that the most important factor in promoting good attendance is the development of positive attitudes towards school. We strive to make our school a happy and rewarding experience for all children.
Under the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 1995, the Governing Body are responsible for making sure the school keeps an attendance register that records which pupils are present at the start of both the morning and the afternoon sessions of the school day.
Attending school on a regular basis is the key to your child doing well at school and will set them up with good routines for later life and the working world, as well as giving them the opportunity to:
• Make friends and feel included
• Learn new things and develop skills
• Increase their confidence and self-esteem
• Improve social skills
• Achieve their potential and fulfil aspirations
Every school day counts. Every single day a child is absent from school equates to a day of lost learning.
100% attendance - No days missed
95% attendance - Nine days of absence - One week and four days of learning missed
90% attendance - 19 days of absence - Three weeks and four days of learning missed
85% attendance - 28 days of absence - Five weeks and three days of learning missed
How does attendance affect outcomes for pupils?
Being in school is important to your child’s achievement, wellbeing, and wider development. Evidence shows that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A Level results.
Our research found that pupils who performed better both at the end of primary and secondary school missed fewer days than those who didn’t perform as well.
The data also shows that in 2019, primary school children in Key Stage 2 who didn’t achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths missed on average four more days per school year than those whose performance exceeded the expected standard.
Rewards & Recognition
Although good attendance is an expectation the school seeks to improve whole school attendance by offering incentives, publishing best attending classes and whole school attendance on the The Hub weekly for parents.
We run good attendance and perfect punctuality weeks throughout the school year to celebrate the attendance of all.
Each class has an attendance Hero mascot, when a class wins attendance of the week, the class get to keep the mascot in the classroom for the week. If the class achieve 100% attendance they will receive Gonzo, our whole school attendance mascot, alongside their class mascot, as well as a sticker from the headteacher. These classes are also congratulated and celebrated in assembly and a display in the hall celebrates this.
Monitoring Absence
School have the responsibility for ensuring that all of the attendance data is accurately recorded on the attendance software. All attendance is monitored daily and we follow a tiered process for supporting attendance which can be found in our attendance policy. We ask parents to report absence to the school office daily. If you are unsure if your child is well enough to attend school please follow the NHS guidance 'Is my child well enough for school?' document which can be found at the bottom of this page.
We are here to support the children in attending school everyday. If school attendance drops we will make you aware through teacher conversations, discussions with the pastoral team or termly through our coloured attendance reports. If you have concerns around your child's attendance please come and speak to one of us as we are here to help and support.
At Riddings Infant School we follow a zone alert system; the purpose of colour coding helps staff, parents and pupils have a clear understanding of our expectations:
Children with low levels of absence: 0% to 3.99% (100%-96%)
We expect students to be in this zone throughout their education. Those children who are rarely absent are more likely to do well in examinations, have better job opportunities and develop strong friendships within school. This is our aspiration for all our children.
Children with increasing absence: 4% to 7.99% absence (Under 96%-92%)
Children in this zone are monitored carefully by our Pastoral Team. We will offer support to help you ensure your child’s attendance improves.
Children at risk of becoming persistent absentees: 8% to 9.99% absence (Under 92%-90%)
Students in this zone are at risk of underachieving due to their absence level. It is important that measures are put in place here to try to avoid these students falling in to the persistently absent zone. Students who miss school regularly are more likely to suffer from school related stress. If your child is at risk of becoming a persistent absentee and support strategies from school will be offered.
Persistent Absentees: absence of 10% and above (Under 90%)
Students in this zone are more likely to underachieve, find making friendships difficult and to misbehave. If your child is persistently absent, you will be required to attend an attendance panel meeting and sign an attendance contract. Legal action may be taken against parents/carers of persistently absent pupils.
What is persistent absence?
Persistent absence is when your child's attendance is below 90%. This means that they have missed, on average, one day every two weeks.
Who can support me?
If you are struggling with getting your child to school regularly, and on time, please contact Mrs Bartlett in the school office (01773 602767), who can offer support and advice.
Changes to Attendance
A new national framework for penalty notices for school absence, including unauthorised holiday absence, came into effect following changes to the law from 19th August 2024.
What are these changes?
1. There will be a new national threshold of 10 unauthorised sessions for any reason (equivalent to 5 school days) within a rolling 10 school week period for when a penalty notice must be considered. Please do not worry if your child is ill; we understand that children get poorly and usually illness with be authorised absence. If we have concerns about your child's absence, you may be asked to prove their subsequent illnesses and may code these absences as unauthorised. Find out more about common illnesses here.
2. The new rules mean you will no longer be able to take your child out of school for one week’s holiday without a penalty notice being issued. Headteachers can only authorise holidays for a very limited number of exceptional circumstances (e.g. the funeral of a close relative).
3. There will be an increase in the penalty fine from £60 to £80 if paid in 21 days. If the fine is not paid by the first 21 days, it will rise to £160 if paid within 28 days of being issued.
4. If a second penalty fine is issued to the same parent for the same child within a 3-year rolling period, the fine will automatically rise to £160 with no option to pay the lower rate of £80.
5. If a parent then commits a third offence in a 3-year rolling period, the local authority will need to consider other enforcement options available to them.
Punctuality matters
To help children achieve their very best in school, it is important that they are good attenders and also punctual. Teachers welcome pupils into the classroom at 8.35-8.45am. The end of the school day is at 3:15pm everyday. This equates to 32 hours and 30 minutes a week.
After 8.45am the only way to get into school is via the school office. Any pupil who comes into school this way from 8.45am will be marked as late in the attendance record. Records are kept of those pupils who are late, this is documented for each pupil (Attendance code L). Any child who arrives for school later than 9.30am (will be marked as having an unauthorised absence for the morning. (Attendance code U).
Children who have attended a dentist or doctor’s appointment and subsequently come to school later than 8.45am will have the absence recorded as a medical absence (Attendance code M).
Children who are persistently late miss a significant amount of learning, we teach our phonics sessions across school at 9am, if your child is 10 minutes late everyday that is nearly one hours learning missed each week.
Where there have been persistent incidents of lateness (more than 5 during a half term) parents/carers will be asked to come into school to discuss and provide opportunities for parents/carers to seek support and advice to address these issues.
Reducing the spread of infection in school
In school we remind the children of the importance of regular and effective handwashing and ensure spaces are well-ventilated to reduce the spread of infection. Coughing and sneezing easily spread infections. Children and adults are encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue and wash hands after using or disposing of tissues.
In September 2013 the government introduced new regulations making it clear that Headteachers must not give approval for any leave of absence during term time, including holidays, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Any requests for term time leave should be made on a request for leave of absence form available from the school office and handed in two school weeks before the first date of the requested absence whenever possible. You must have received written authorisation before your child can be absent from school.
Parent/carers may be issued with a penalty notice fine or prosecution should leave of 5 days or more be taken which is not authorised by the Headteacher, or where repeated incidents of leave in term time for less than 5 days occur or where the unauthorised absence contributes to wider poor attendance that meets the legal threshold. Absence deemed for the reason of unauthorised leave in term time will be marked in the register with the Attendance code G.
You may be issued with a Penalty Notice should leave be taken which is not authorised. If unpaid this could lead to prosecution under section 444(1) of The Education Act 1996.
For attendance policies please click the link to our policies below:
All children, regardless of their circumstances, are entitled to an efficient, full time education which is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.
Children missing education are children of compulsory school age who are not registered pupils at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise than at a school. Children missing education are at significant risk of underachieving, being victims of harm, exploitation or radicalisation, and becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) later in life.
Effective information sharing between parents, schools and local authorities is critical to ensuring that all children of compulsory school age are safe and receiving suitable education.
Amazing attendance and punctuality week - 25th-29th September
What a week of amazing attendance and punctuality with 171 heroes across school!
A special well done to Miss Kidd class who achieved 100%, well done everyone.
Remember great attendance leads to great learning and progress.