The importance of attendance
Our Catholic ethos calls us to nurture each child that attends our academy to give them the opportunities to grow and develop academically, socially and morally. Attending school daily is essential for each child to develop our school virtues. While occasional absences may happen, we want to emphasise that students should attend school even if they have a common cold - staying home is only recommended if they have a high fever or contagious illness. It is our expectation that all students make every effort to be present and punctual daily.
Our Attendance Team
Mrs M Booth – Senior Leader, Attendance Champion (mbooth@stmichaels.bhcet.org.uk)
Mrs T Franklin – Attendance Officer (tfranklin@stmichaels.bhcet.org.uk)
Miss C Scott – Attendance Administrator (scottc@stmichaels.bhcet.org.uk)
Phone number to report absence: 01642 870003
Whilst all staff in the academy are here to support with student attendance, there are some key staff who have a direct responsibility for attendance. These staff are named above and can be contacted either via email or on the phone number above.
All our staff are trained to listen, understand, empathise and support students and families with ensuring high levels of attendance but they are also trained not to tolerate absences and poor attendance. Please do not be offended by their approach; your child’s right to an education is important.
The Law
If a registered pupil of compulsory school age fails to attend school regularly, the parent could be guilty of an offence under section 444 Education Act 1996. In April 2017, the Supreme Court held that attending school “regularly” means attendance in accordance with the rules prescribed by the school and not “sufficiently frequent attendance “. This means that a child must attend school every day that the school requires him or her to do so and failure to do this may lead to the commission of an offence.
Please click below to view the DfE's Attendance Guide For Parents. The rest of this page highlights the importance that good attendance has on your child's education.
Student responsibilities
- To attend the Academy on a regular basis and to be punctual.
- To inform a member of staff/form tutor if there is a reason which may prevent them from attending the Academy.
Parental responsibilities
- On the first day, and subsequent days, of absence parents/carers must contact the attendance officer to explain the nature of the absence to ensure that their children attend the Academy regularly and are on time.
- To work with the Academy to improve student attendance where necessary.
- To contact the Academy when situations other than illness arise that may hinder Academy attendance or performance.
- To avoid taking holidays or medical appointments during term time. Parents will be reminded of the detrimental effect that such absences can have on a student’s potential achievement.
Academy responsibilities
- Clear policies and procedures for accurate recording, supporting and improving student attendance to the Academy.
- Good attendance and punctuality are recognised and rewarded.
- Early contact with parents when a student fails to attend the Academy, initially via email/phone.
- To put individual strategies in place to support attendance to help improve student attendance, working in partnership with parents. In serious cases of non-attendance this can mean issuing fixed penalty fines and making parents and students subject to procedures for prosecution.
- Referrals will be made to external agencies such as Social Services, Early Help and the Local Authority to ensure the students are given specialist support and input where necessary.
- The Academy has an appointed Attendance Officer whose primary responsibility is to monitor and review attendance of students and to ensure that everyone complies with the Academy’s attendance policy. This role also helps to maintain a link between the Academy and parents, carrying out home visits where necessary to resolve any issues relating to attendance and punctuality.
- If parents do not make contact to confirm the reason for their child’s absence and the Academy is unsure of their whereabouts the Academy will automatically conduct a safe and well check. The Attendance Officer or a member of the Pastoral team will visit the home address to ensure the safety of the child.
Leave of absence requests
Amendments to the 2006 school attendance regulations came into force on 1 September 2013. The amendments make it clear that a Headteacher may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Requests for leave of absence should be made in writing to the Headteacher. A LOA request form is available from the school office.
A Penalty Notice can be issued by the Local Authority where leave of absence is not granted but taken.
The government introduced the national framework for penalty notices with effect from 19th August 2024. A penalty notice is an out of court settlement intended to change behaviour without the need for criminal prosecution.
The framework has introduced a two penalty notice limit within a 3-year rolling period and any second penalty notice is charged at a higher rate:
- The first penalty notice issued to a parent in respect of a particular pupil will be charged at £160 if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.
- A second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same pupil is charged at a flat rate of £160 if paid within 28 days.
- A third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of issue of the first. In a case where the national threshold is met for a third time (or subsequent times) within those 3 years,
alternative action should be taken instead. This will often include considering prosecution but may include other tools such as one of the other attendance legal interventions.
Punctuality
The vast majority of our students have excellent punctuality and arrive at school before registration begins at 8.55 am.
Students must be on site by 8:50 am. Pupils are recorded as late after the bell at 8.55 am. If students arrive after this time they must go to the dance studio to sign in and they will take part in morning liturgy with a member of the pastoral or senior leadership team. Sanctions will be given if a student is late without good reason. The registration period remains open until 09:40am. After this time, students will be marked with a ‘U code’ which classes as an unauthorised absence. Parents are expected to inform reception or the attendance team if they are aware that their child will be late arriving to the Academy.
