Attendance Matters
Regular attendance at school is not just a legal requirement - it is essential if pupils are going to learn and progress well. It is hoped that parents will work with teachers to make sure pupils miss as little school as possible. On all occasions of absence, parents must phone in on the first day of sickness.
All attendance is carefully recorded in school and, by law, we must know the reason for any absence. Some reasons are regarded as acceptable and are called “authorised absence”; others are not and are regarded as truancy. Schools have to publish figures every year on their absence rates.
What does “authorised absence” mean? The school can authorise absence only in the following circumstances:-
Ø sickness - on the evidence of a letter, a note in a planner or a telephone call from a parent or, for longer absence, a doctor’s note;
Ø religious observance - on the day set aside for this purpose by the religious body to which the pupil’s parent belongs;
Ø lack of suitable transport - if this has not been provided and the school is not within walking distance (for those qualifying for Transport);
Ø public performance - where participation has been agreed in advance with the school;
Ø annual holidays during term time - subject to approval by the Headteacher and the total time not exceeding 10 school days. Parents are strongly encouraged not to take pupils on holiday during term time;
exceptional circumstances - at the headteacher’s discretion.
Parents should understand that the school will usually need evidence from them to enable the decision to be made to authorise an absence. The school is not permitted to authorise shopping trips, waiting for workmen, looking after relatives etc. Dental and doctor appointments should also be made outside school hours, unless it is an emergency.
Any absence which is not authorised is truancy, whether parents know about it or not. It can render parents liable to prosecution because they have a duty to ensure their children attend school. We will always contact parents when such absence occurs. The absence record will also form part of the pupil’s annual report.
It is essential that your child benefits from the education on offer at Ysgol Clywedog, every day. Please help us to ensure you child does not waste a single opportunity.
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