Shaw Cross Infant and Nursery School

We strive to ensure that we achieve positive outcomes for our pupils.  We could not do this without parental help. One area in which you really support your child is in promoting good attendance as this has a positive impact on future life chances and promotes future economic well-being.  We would like to thank the many parents who make sure their children attend school regularly.

As there is a clear link between good attendance and high standards of achievement, it is important that children attend school regularly and on time. If your child has had any time off school in the first half of the year, attendance is likely to be low. Trends show that most illness occurs in the Autumn and Winter and that attendance starts to improve over the Spring and Summer.  The table below will provide you with guidance of the different levels based on national statistics for the number of days absent over a school year.

Our attendance figures are closely monitored by Ofsted and our Attendance & Pupil Support Officer.  Did you know that taking your child out of school for a 2 week holiday will reduce your child's attendance to 94.54% (average).

You may be aware that headteachers are unable to authorise leave during term time except where the circumstances are exceptional. If your child takes leave that has not been authorised by the headteacher, it will result in the absences being recorded as unauthorised and you may be fined.

Low attendance and persistent absence

We are constantly monitoring attendance for children who are in danger of falling into the persistent absence category.  In most cases when this occurs, there are legitimate reasons, such as frequent one-off days and unauthorised absence due to holidays, a period of time in hospital for a specific illness, to undergo surgery or to attend medical appointments.  If there is a pattern of poor attendance or lateness, parents may be asked to attend a meeting to explain and then school may look at implementing a parenting contract or could take legal action.

If your child has a medical condition requiring frequent appointments or is suffering from a recurrent illness which is affecting attendance please let us know, we may be able to help or offer advice.

In view of the more stringent attendance criteria it is more important than ever that requests are not made for leave of absence during term time, as this combined with illness could put your child in the persistent absence category. We would also like to point out that assessment criteria at the end of Year 2 are much higher than in the past.  It has been noticeable in previous years that some children who did not meet them had low attendance and through missing school had not accumulated enough evidence in their work through the year to meet the standards. We continue to collect evidence up until the end of June.

Sickness and diarrhoea - Children should not come back to school until 48 hours after the last episode. As we know that this is a frequent cause of absence, we promote handwashing and would ask parents to reinforce this at home.

Could we please re-iterate the importance of informing school if your child is not able to attend, many thanks to all of you who do.  Unexplained absences are recorded as unauthorised.  If you are having difficulty getting through on the telephone, please email the school office.  If a child is missing in education for three days without any contact from parents then this will be passed on to the safeguarding lead and further referrals can be made regarding the welfare of your child.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Headteacher if you have any concerns around your child’s attendance or would like any support.