Higher Failsworth Primary School believes that good attendance is essential for all our pupils if they are to gain the maximum benefit from the education that we provide. School education lays the vital foundations of a child’s life, ensuring they are ‘school ready, work ready, life ready.’
Research clearly demonstrates the link between regular attendance and educational progress and attainment. Parents/carers and the school staff should work in partnership in making education a success and in ensuring that all children have full and equal access to all that the school has to offer. As a school we will support families to ensure that their child achieves maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent this are identified and acted on promptly. Ultimately it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their children attend school every day. Our school’s expected level of attendance over a school year is 95%.
The school’s attendance officer is Michelle Warburton and can be contacted via info@higher-failsworth.oldham.sch.uk
The School Attendance Policy can be found here
Absences
Please use the Studybugs app to report your childs absence
All absences must be reported by 9.30am on the first day of absence. If we receive no contact from yourself, we will endeavour to contact you. If we are unable to make contact with you by telephone. We will try other contact numbers you have provided (ie Grandparents etc.) Consequently, all absences without reason will be marked as unauthorised on your child’s attendance record.
Furthermore, if your child is absent for two or more days there may be occasions when school requires parents to provide proof of illness; this can be in the form of a doctor’s letter, copy of prescription and or medication, which clearly show the dates corresponding with the absence.
In some circumstances the school may need to do a home visit.
Please ensure that school has your most up to date contact details; home address, current mobile number and Email address.
Medical appointments
Where possible, please make medical appointments outside of school hours. However, we understand at times this may be difficult, on these occasions please provide school with a medical card or letter. A medical appointment DOES reduce your child’s percentage attendance.
Please also be aware we are not able to authorise siblings being taken out of school when they do not have an appointment. These absences will be unauthorised.
Holidays in Term Time
If you feel your absence is exceptional, please inform the school office directly and your request will be considered by the Pastoral, Attendance & Safeguarding Manager.
- Relatives coming to visit
- Cheaper holidays in England and abroad
- Family day trips
- Visiting family/friends who have different half terms or holidays.
Penalty Notices 2024-25
First Offence – The first time a Penalty Notice is issued the amount will be £80 per parent, per child paid within 21 days. This increases to £160 per parent, per child if paid after day 21 until day 28. Any non -payment of the Penalty Notice may be referred to the Magistrates Court.
Second Offence – (within 3 years) – The second time a Penalty Notice is issued the amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days. Any non-payment of the Penalty Notice may be referred to the Magistrates Court.
Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years) – The third time an offence is committed a Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the case may be presented straight to the Magistrates Court under the S.444 of the Education Act (1996) or other legal interventions considered. The Magistrate Court can order fines up to £2500 per parent, per child.
Fast Track to Attendance
Fast Track to Attendance is a time focused approach to improve attendance. The aim of Fast Track is to promote early intervention by school and where necessary by the Local Authority. The aim is to ensure that rapid and appropriate action is taken to tackle absence problems as soon as they become apparent. Failure to make and sustain changes will result in the Local Authority prosecuting through the courts.
Useful Information –
https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
https://www.oldham.gov.uk/schoolattendance
