Attendance
Good attendance is fundamental to a successful and fulfilling school experience as well as promoting well-being, maximising opportunities to learn and increasing life chances. The attendance pattern for all children is monitored weekly as we seek to work actively with parents to ensure a regular pattern is maintained. One of our basic principles is to celebrate success and we do that through weekly assemblies and termly attendance certificates and rewards.
We believe that one of the most important factors in promoting good attendance is the development of positive attitudes towards school and learning.
Statistics show a direct link between under-achievement and absence below 96%. Those children who attend regularly:
- make better progress, both socially and academically
- find school routines, school work and friendships easier to cope with
- find learning more satisfying
- make the most successful transitions between primary and secondary schools, higher education and employment or training
Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their child attends school regularly and arrives on time. Full attendance is essential to the all-round development of a child as it gives them the ability to take full advantage of educational opportunities available to them by law. The Governing Body and Head Teacher, in partnership with parents, have a legal duty to promote full attendance at school.
As a school we aim to:
- maintain an attendance rate of a minimum of 96%
- ensure attendance is monitored regularly
- take action to support persistent absentees
- maintain parents’/carers’ and pupils’ awareness of the importance of regular attendance
Parental Responsibility
School gates open at 8.40am and school begins at 8.50am (at which point the gates close). All pupils who arrive late must report to the school office, where they will be registered. Pupils who arrive after 9.30am, when the registers close, will be marked as absent for the morning session.
Parents should:
- Only keep their children off school if necessary. Making this decision can be difficult at times, The NHS Little Orange Book gives exert advise on childhood illnesses and when to keep children at home. School staff are always happy to help with advice too if you are unsure.
- Telephone 0191 2762762 on the first morning of all absences before 9.30am, stating the reason.
- Arrange dental and doctor’s appointments out of school hours, or during school holidays wherever possible.
- Keep us updated by telephone, letter or email if your child has an extended period of absence due to illness.
- Discuss with school office/class teacher any planned absences well in advance and only request leave of absence if it is for an exceptional circumstance by completing the Leave of Absence form, available from the school office.
Support
At Hotspur we believe that engaging the school community and offering targeted support are priorities in improving school attendance. We have three attendance monitoring points across the academic year, one in each term. At these points our Attendance Team analyse whole-school data and decide what, if any, action needs to be taken. We will then contact parents/carers to offer bespoke advice and/or support, tailored to their individual needs.
If you feel that you need some advice or support regarding your child's attendance, please get in touch via the 'Pastoral Support Contact Form' which can be found here.
Attendance Key Facts