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"My son loves going in to school every day."

Reception Parent

Attendance & Punctuality

Our Attendance Mission

At Alwyn Infant School we believe good attendance and punctuality is vital for a child to achieve their full potential.

Good attendance contributes to better progress in learning, social skills (friendships) and mental health.

We aim to promote good attendance by providing a safe and calm environment for all children, with positive learning experiences so they want to come to school.

As a team, we will all work together to break down any barriers a child or family may have to attending school every day and on time.​

Every Child, Every Day

The law entitles every child of school age to an efficient, full time education. It is the legal responsibility of every parent/carer to make sure their child attends school every day the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances, such as illness or an authorised absence.

 

I need support with my child’s attendance

If you need support with your child’s attendance, please speak to your child's class teacher or a member of the senior leadership team.

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Every school day counts.

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Parent/Carer Guide to Attendance

Punctuality

Children in Reception should be at the classroom door by 8.45am. Children in Years 1 and 2 should be at their classroom door by 8.50am.

The school gates are locked at 8.55am. If your child arrives to school after this time, your child will receive an unauthorised late mark- this effects your child’s attendance.

If arriving late, you must bring your child into the school office and sign them into school with a reason for the lateness.

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Reporting an Absence                                           

If your child is going to be absent from school, you must contact the school office before 9.00am to provide a reason for absence and an indication of their return. You can either call 01628 622477 and leave a message on the absence line or email office@alwyn.org.uk.

 

Medical/Dental Appointments

Aim to make appointments out of school hours or during the school holidays. If any appointments are made during school time, you will be asked to provide evidence of the appointment to authorise the absence.

 

Persistent Absence / Risk of Persistent Absence

Persistent Absence is when your child’s attendance falls below 90%. We want to work together with our families to avoid children becoming ‘persistently absent’ (below 90%).

We will contact you if your child’s attendance is low and work with you to identify the reasons and any barriers to school attendance. Interventions may be put in place when your child's attendance becomes ‘at risk’ of becoming PA. This may include supportive parent meetings and an individualised plan.

Being persistently absent may make you liable for fines or school attendance referrals to the Educational Welfare Officer.

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Medical Evidence for Persistent Absence

If your child is absent from school and is at risk of becoming persistently absent (at risk of falling below 90%) you will be required to provide medical evidence for your child's absences. This way, we can make sure absences are authorised.

 

Term Time Absence / Holidays during term time

Holidays are not authorised by school. Unauthorised absence due to holidays will result in a fine (penalty notice) being issued from Windsor and Maidenhead Local Authority.

Term time absence, other than illness, is only authorised in exceptional circumstances and agreed, in advance, by the Head of School. Evidence may be requested.​

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For further information, you may go to the DfE Blog for parents

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is an unauthorised absence?

A child being kept off school unnecessarily or without good reason. Term time holidays is not a justified reason to take your child out of school.

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What happens if I keep my child off, and don’t contact school?

School will contact each parent/carer to try and obtain a reason for absence. If contact cannot be made, school will contact any other named contacts on the emergency list. If contact cannot be made or no reason is provided school may carry out a visit to your home- this is to check on the welfare of you and your child.

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What is an unauthorised absence?

A child being kept off school unnecessarily or without good reason. Term time holidays is not a justified reason to take your child out of school.

What happens if I keep my child off, and don’t contact school?

School will contact each parent/carer to try and obtain a reason for absence. If contact cannot be made, school will contact any other named contacts on the emergency list. If contact cannot be made or no reason is provided school may carry out a visit to your home- this is to check on the welfare of you and your child.

 

What is Persistent Absence (PA)?

This is when your child’s attendance is below 90%

What is risk of PA?

Risk of PA is when your child’s attendance is at risk of dropping below 90%- we aim to offer early intervention support at this stage.

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What is a Penalty Notice?

A penalty notice is a fine issued to each parent/carer for their individual child’s unauthorised term time leave or irregular attendance.

When could a Penalty Notice be issued?

A penalty notice can be issued for any 10 sessions of unauthorised absence, this includes term time holidays, in a rolling period of 10 school weeks. 5 consecutive days of term time leave can trigger a penalty notice. There is no right of appeal against a penalty notice.

How much is a Penalty Notice?

The first time a penalty notice is issued, it will be charged at £160 per parent/carer per child if paid within 28 days or reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.

The second time, within 3 years of the first, will be £160 per parent per child, if paid within 28 days. There is no reduction for early payment.

A third penalty notice, within 3 years of the first offence, will not be issued. The case will be presented to the magistrate’s court, which may result in fines of up to £2500 per parent, per child and can show as a criminal record.

What happens if I don’t pay after 28 days?

The local authority will decide either to prosecute for the original offence to which the notice applies, or withdraw the notice. Parent(s) can only be prosecuted if 28 days have expired, and full payment has not been made.

What is a notice to improve?

This is a final opportunity to engage in support to improve attendance before a penalty notice is issued. A notice to improve does not need to be given where or it is deemed to have no impact on attendance. If there is no improvement, a fixed penalty notice will then be issued.

I’ll just go on holiday and pay the fine?

Penalty notices have now been capped nationally at TWO fines within any 3 year period. After this, other action like a parenting order or prosecution has to be considered- this could mean a fine of up to £2500!

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