Student Attendance

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

Huxlow Academy work in partnership with the cluster schools to ensure a uniform approach to school attendance procedures. These are the standard procedures for absence across the schools. However, if a school has serious concerns it may escalate the actions accordingly.

We seek to work in partnership with parents to ensure that each child’s experience is one that will enable them to make good progress by building on their skills and talents within a continuous and consistent learning environment. If together we are to achieve this aim, regular attendance at school is vital and full parental support and co-operation in this matter is necessary.

The importance of attendance?

This shows how the number of days off you have each year affects your attendance. At Huxlow we expect students to achieve 100% attendance but no less than 97% attendance which means 6 days off in the year. Evidence suggests students who attend well achieve their target grades and provide them with the best opportunities in the future. Also good attendance has been linked to good mental health, confidence and the ability to develop good relationships.

parents guide to attendance?

Attending and actively taking part in learning – wherever learning takes place – is fundamental to making sure that our young people at Huxlow become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens embodying our values of Ambition, Respect and Pride.

At Huxlow we want all of our students to feel happy, safe and secure at school. We want to make sure our young people receive day to day or additional support to attend school and engage in their learning. Parents and carers are by far the most important influence on children’s lives and learning and it is parents and carers who are responsible for making sure their child is educated. This guide explains your responsibilities as a parent when it comes to your child’s attendance at school.

Parents are legally responsible for making sure that their child is educated.

reporting absence

Parents and carers are expected to communicate with school promptly to inform if their child is going to be absent due to illness or other reasons and maintain daily contact during the period of absence. Absences must be reported by contacting the school office on 01933 650496 or by MYED by 9.30am.

Home visits are conducted to families to follow-up on pupil absences and provide support to pupils and parents/carers where appropriate.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD IS LATE?

Letters will be sent out to parents whose children are persistently late and a meeting will be arranged if the situation does not improve. Ultimately families could be referred to the Education Inclusion and Partnership Team.

leave during term time

Parents and Carers must request any planned leave of absence for exceptional circumstances in writing prior to the intended absence of their child. Requests will be reviewed and a decision made as to whether the absence will be authorised.

In line with Department for education (2024) regulations, holidays or absences for leisure and recreation would not constitute exceptional circumstances.

As per the National Framework for Penalty Notices (2024), parents and carers may be issued with a fixed penalty notice or legal sanction if a pupil is absent due to unauthorised leave during term time.

WHAT should i do if MY CHILD IS worried about coming to SCHOOL?

Your child has a right to an education and to be safe and happy at school. However, we recognise that sometimes young people can be worried about coming to school. This can happen for lots of reasons but can happen when they have a worry about something like homework, a class test, if they are worried about being bullied or if they have fallen out with other children.

It’s important to talk to us if this kind of problem happens or you have any concerns - the earlier we know of the problem the easier it is for us to support you. Please do contact a member of staff at the school with any worry your child has which is affecting them getting to school.

What support can my child expect in school?

At Huxlow, we have a well established and experienced pastoral team who are here to support your child.

In the first instance it may be a good idea to speak to your child’s form tutor but there is also their Head of year, pastoral team and attendance team. Your child may also have a preferred member of staff that they have a positive relationship with whom you may wish to contact.

key factors for success - working together

It is vital that you work in partnership with us to ensure we have the whole picture of the young person’s difficulties. Some young people who are worried about school function very well socially in other aspects of their lives, e.g. mixing with certain friends or going to specific sport and youth clubs of their choice. This can lead people to believe that perhaps the young person is not really worried at school and maybe it is a case of the parent/carers not insisting that their son/daughter attends. Open and continuous communication is key.

As a parent or carer ensure that your child:

● Gets to bed at a reasonable time

● Has the necessary clothes and equipment ready for school the next day

● Gets up in good time

● Washes, dresses for school and eats breakfast

● Is ready by the time they ought to leave home for school

● Encourage your child to take responsibility for this routine, for example by giving your child an alarm clock.

If your child claims to be ill but you believe they are well enough to attend school:

Be reassuring. Show that you understand how they might be feeling but remain firm about them needing to attend school every day.

● If your child mentions a particular problem agree to look into it as soon as possible but continue to insist they go to school

● Remind them that they are expected to go to school even though they may be late

● If necessary, escort your child to school. Make your parting uneventful, i.e. say goodbye and go, do not hang around.

When your child goes to school, always make a comment about how well they have done. Take every opportunity to praise their success no matter how small or obvious. Be careful to do this in a sincere and low-key way rather than a way that leads to a rise in your child’s excitement level, which he or she may misinterpret as increased anxiety

If your child point blank refuses to attend, contact the school to inform us and follow these guidelines:

Expect your child to spend their time at home either on school related work or reading

● Do not let them go out to visit friends or relatives

● Do not take them shopping

● Do not allow them to spend their time watching television, gaming or being on their phone

● Do not offer over the top rewards

● These conditions should last for the duration of the school day

● Review the situation the next day. If your child refuses school again, then the conditions apply again for the rest of the school day

If your child claims to feel ill and you decide they really are not well enough to go to school:

Contact the school and try to speak to the Attendance Team.

Make a doctor’s appointment (make sure your GP knows about your child’s attendance difficulties). Follow the procedure already described for when a child stays at home (see previous section)

It is crucial that your child does not develop a cosy, comfortable alternative lifestyle which will prevent them from wanting to attend school regularly

Remember…

● Any absence from school often makes the return difficult. If your child can possibly attend school, for example they have a cold or headache, encourage them to do so

● It may be extremely difficult but, whenever possible, remain calm, try not to criticise (easier said than done when under pressure!)

● Try to praise and encourage your child

● Try to make positive helpful comments

● If it feels like it is all getting too much, don’t suffer in silence - contact us for help