King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
King Edward VI High School
Attendance Policy
School Aims
The school has one overall aim:
“to prepare young people for life”

To

To

To

To
fostered
develop knowledge, understanding and skills
motivate students
develop positive relationships at all levels
develop a framework within which the growth of the whole individual is
The school has values expressed as follows:

Self respect for others, property and the school environment
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Development of self-discipline
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Importance of truth, fairness and justice
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Tolerance and consideration of others and their views
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Helping those less fortunate and weaker than ourselves
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Taking responsibility for one’s own actions
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Rejecting behaviour that involves bullying, vandalism, lying, intolerance
and indiscipline
Attendance Policy
Introduction
King Edward VI High School aims to promote excellent attendance in order to
ensure that all students are able to take the fullest advantage of the learning
experiences available to them. The school will encourage excellent attendance
through its curriculum and recognise good attendance through its rewards
systems. All pupils should be at school, on time, every day the school is open,
unless the reason for absence is unavoidable.
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Statutory Framework
Under the Education Act 1996, Section 7 it is the “Duty of parents to secure
education of children of compulsory school age The parent of every child of
compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education
suitable—
(a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and
(b) to any special educational needs he may have,
either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”
The school is obliged by law to differentiate between authorised and
unauthorised absence. A letter or telephone message from a parent does not in
itself authorise an absence. Only if the school is satisfied as to the validity of the
explanation offered by the letter/message will the absence be authorised.
Rights and Responsibilities
Maintaining good attendance at King Edward VI High School is the responsibility
of everyone in the school community, including pupils, parents and staff.
Pupils
All pupils are expected to attend school and all of their lessons regularly and
punctually. Pupils who experience attendance difficulties will be offered prompt
and sympathetic support, initially from their form tutor and, if the need should
arise, from their Progress Leader or attendance officer. At the end of each term,
pupils whose attendance is either very good or improved will be presented with
certificates and participate in a draw.
Parents
Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child attends school regularly,
punctually, properly dressed and equipped and in a fit condition to learn. If a
child is prevented, for any reason, from attending, or is late, parents are
requested to notify the school, as soon as possible, either in writing, which is
preferred, or by telephone call. A pupil’s absence from school must be
considered as unauthorised until a satisfactory explanation is forthcoming from
the parents. Parents will be informed promptly of any concerns that may arise
over a child’s attendance. At the end of each term the year head will write to
parents whose child’s attendance is a cause for congratulation or concern. If
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
possible, parents should avoid making medical/dental appointments for their
child during school hours.
Parents whose first language is not English, or who have literacy difficulties, will
be offered appropriate support from the school in matters of communication.
School
Staff will endeavour to encourage good attendance and punctuality through
personal example. The school will employ a range of strategies to encourage
good attendance and punctuality and, liaising closely with parents, will promptly
investigate all absenteeism. Staff will respond to all absenteeism firmly and
consistently.
Partnership
Any problems that arise with attendance are best resolved between the school,
the parent(s) and the child. If a child appears reluctant to attend school parents
are urged to contact the school to discuss any issues and put in places
strategies. Parents whose children are experiencing difficulties should contact
the school at an early stage and work with the appropriate member of staff to
resolve any problems. Parents may contact the EWS directly.
Registration
Schools are required to take an attendance register twice a day, indicating
whether a pupil is present, engaged in an approved educational activity off-site
or absent. The registers will be called promptly at 8:45 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m.
and will be marked in SIMs.
Registers should be completed by 9.00 a.m. and at 1:35 p.m. If a pupil fails to
arrive before the registers are closed, he/she will be marked as ‘absent’. Pupils
who arrive after the registers have been closed should report to the Attendance
Office and sign in.
If a pupil is late a ten minute late detention will be imposed. If a pupil is
persistently late, the Progress Leader will contact the parents. Officially
registration closes at 9.00 a.m. and 1.35 p.m. Pupils arriving after this time,
with no acceptable reason, will be given an unauthorised absence mark.
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
All subject teachers will take registers in each of their classes and are
responsible for checking the attendance of pupils in their lessons. KS5 lessons
are marked on SIMS Lesson Monitor to allow electronic transfer of data within
the Collegiate.
Authorised/Unauthorised Absence
Only the school can authorise an absence, not parents. It is, therefore, essential
that all staff adhere to the same criteria when deciding whether or not to
authorise an absence.
King Edward VI High School will decide on how an absence is to be recorded
according to ‘School Attendance: Policy and Practice on Categorisation of
Absence’ (DFE 1994). This states that:
Absence can be authorised if:
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the pupil was absent with leave (defined as ‘leave granted by any person
authorised to do so by the governing body of the school’);
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the pupil was ill ‘or prevented from attending by any unavoidable cause’;
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‘the absence occurred on a day exclusively set aside for religious
observance by the religious body to which the pupil’s parent belongs’;
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the school at which the child is a registered pupil is not within walking
distance of the child’s home and no suitable arrangements have been made by
the LEA for any of the following:
1.
the child’s transport to and from school,
2.
enabling the child to become a registered pupil at a school nearer to
his/her home.

the pupil is the child of Traveller parents and the conditions as stated in
paragraph of the guidance are met;

there is a family bereavement;
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]

the pupil is attending an interview with either a prospective employer or in
connection with an application for a place at an institute of further or higher
education or for a place at another school;
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the pupil is attending approved work experience;
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the pupil is attending an approved off-site activity or is receiving special
off-site tuition;
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the pupil is attending a Pupil Referral Unit;
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the pupil is participating in an approved public performance;
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a Year 11 pupil is granted study leave (this should not exceed two weeks);

the pupil is involved in an exceptional special occasion (e.g., if a pupil is
attending the graduation of an older sibling);
Absence should be unauthorised if:
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no explanation is forthcoming;
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the school is dissatisfied with the explanation;
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the pupil stays at home to mind the house or to look after siblings (the
guidance suggests that absence in such cases should only be granted in
exceptional circumstances);
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the pupil is shopping during school hours;
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the pupil is absent for unexceptional special occasions (e.g. a birthday);

the pupil is away from school on a leave of absence that is not deemed to
be exceptional circumstances.
In all situations where it is deemed an absence is unauthorised, parents will
have been contacted and told of the decision, the pupils is punished
appropriately and all work missed has been completed. There is a proforma
which should be completed before the O appears on the register.
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Leave of Absence
Head teachers should not grant leave of absence unless in exceptional
circumstances. The application must be made in advance and the head teacher
must be satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which warrant the
leave. Where a leave of absence is granted, the head teacher will determine the
number of days a pupil can be away from school. A leave of absence is granted
entirely at the head teacher’s discretion.
Parents have a legal duty to make sure that their child aged 5-16, if registered
at a school, attends that school regularly. If taking an unauthorised term-time
holiday is grounds for issuing a penalty notice according to the local authority’s
code, and if the leave of absence for holiday was not authorised by the school,
either the school or the local authority may issue a penalty notice.
Amendments have also been made to the 2007 penalty notices regulations in
the Education (Penalty Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.
These amendments came into force on 1 September 2013.
The 2013 amendments reduce the timescales for paying a penalty notice.
Parents must, from September 2013, pay £60 within 21 days or £120 within 28
days. This brings attendance penalty notices into line with other types of
penalty notices and allows local authorities to act faster on prosecutions.
Procedures for Following up Absence

If a pupil is absent then parents should contact the school to inform the
school of the reason for this absence. If the school does not receive notification
of a pupil’s absence then the school will text parents of this absence. It is
important that parents inform the school of any absence on the first day to
ensure that all safeguarding procedures are followed if there were any concerns.

If a pupil is absent for more than three consecutive days without
explanation, the school will contact parents. If the absentee is a pupil about
whom there are already concerns, the school will make every effort to contact
the parents immediately.

If a pupil is persistently (or intermittently) absent, the school will write to
the parents and invite them to attend a meeting at school.
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]

If a pupil returns to school after a period of absence and fails to bring a
note, or if the explanation offered by a note is unsatisfactory, the school will
write to the parents.
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If a pupil is persistently absent, or late, and the school’s efforts to effect
an improvement have been unsuccessful, the situation will be referred to the
Education Welfare Officer during his/her consultation visit.
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Notes from parents will be kept in the form tutor’s file. All telephone
messages regarding absence/lateness are to be recorded in the telephone
message book, and notes sent to form tutors.
Strategies for Encouraging Good Attendance
King Edward VI High School will work to provide an environment in which pupils
feel valued and welcomed, that pupils feel their presence in school is important,
that they will be missed when they are absent/late and that follow up action will
be taken.
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A varied and flexible curriculum will be offered to all pupils.
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Attendance data will be regularly collected and analysed in order to help
identify patterns.
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Good attendance awards will be presented at the end of each school year.
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Pupils whose attendance is a cause for concern will be set targets for
improvement.
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Parents will be reminded regularly via letters, the school brochure, tutor
review days, etc. of the importance of good attendance.
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Pupils have a responsibility to complete all work missed through absence.

Pupils who have been absent for whatever reason for an extended period
will, when appropriate, have individually tailored reintegration programmes
prepared for them.

The head teacher will make an annual report to the school’s governing
body on attendance matters.
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]

Meetings will be held regularly to allow Progress Leaders to develop
contact with external agencies: Social Services, Child and Family Guidance, etc.

The Attendance Officer and member of Leadership Group meet regularly
with EWO.

Regular visits will be made to feeder primary schools in order to ensure the
smoothest possible secondary transfer.
Procedures
Attendance is monitored continually by the School Attendance Officer and the
member of leadership group with responsibility for attendance. The school
operates a First Day Contact system using the ‘Keep Kids Safe’ system.
On a weekly basis the school’s attendance data is published. This is discussed
weekly at the Progress Leaders’ Meeting and graphs displayed on the main
corridor. Issues are fed back to the School Attendance Officer.
Pupils with a pattern of poor attendance (identified by ‘Broken Weeks’ and
below 85%) is constantly monitored. Parents are notified, targets set and,
where necessary, an attendance clinic is held in the school where EWS will be
invited.
When an individual pupil’s attendance falls below 85% in any term without good
reason a referral will be made to EWS. Following investigation any unresolved
issues could result in the parent receiving a Penalty Notice (see appendix) or
ultimately prosecuted under the Education Act 1996
Those people responsible for attendance matters in school
The school employs an Attendance Officer. Parents agree through the Home
School Agreement to contact school when their child is absent from school. The
school provides a dedicated line connected to an answer phone for this.
You may also be contacted by our Attendance Consultant from 'Attend Every
Day Counts' who will conduct home visits and will offer support in relation to
school attendance concerns.
There is a member of the Leadership Group who has responsibility for
Attendance.
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
These people meet with the Education Welfare Officer to discuss issues. EWS
will make an official check of registers at least once per year.
Jason Christey
Acting Headteacher
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Appendix 1: Fixed Penalty Notices

Section 23 of the Anti Behaviour Act 2003 empowers designated (Local
Authority) LA officers, Head Teachers (Deputy and Assistant Headteachers
authorised by them) and the police to issue Penalty Notices in cases of
unauthorised absence from school.

The issuing of Penalty Notices must conform to all requirements of the
Human Rights Act and Equal Opportunities legislation.

The LA has the prime responsibility for developing the protocol within
which all partners named in the Act will operate.

Regular and punctual attendance at school is both a legal requirement
and essential for pupils to maximise their educational opportunities.

In law, an offence occurs if a parent fails to secure their child's
attendance at school and that absence is not authorised by the school.

Penalty Notices supplement the existing sanctions currently available
under S444 Education Act 1996 or S36 Children Act 1989 to enforce attendance
at school where appropriate.

The Education Welfare Service delivers this LA responsibility.

The issuing of Penalty Notices will be based on clear threshold criteria
which will need to be applied consistently and equitably across the borough's
schools.

Any person authorised to issue a notice in Haringey must comply with
the guidance set out in this code of conduct.
Circumstances for issuing a Penalty Notice:

A Penalty Notice can only be issued in cases of unauthorised absence.
It would be considered appropriate to serve a notice in the following
circumstances:
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]

Overt truancy Parentally condoned absences Excessive holidays in
term-time Excessive delay in returning from extended holidays without
agreement Persistent late arrival at school i.e. after the register has closed.
Legislative Background
 The Education (Penalty Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012
increased the current amounts of penalty notices payable by parents from 1
September 2012.
 These will apply to any parent who fails to ensure the regular attendance of
their child of compulsory school age (5-16) who is registered at a state school
or fails to ensure that their excluded child is not found in a public place during
schools hours without a justifiable reason.
 The amounts stated on the penalty notices will increase from £50 to £60 for
those who pay within 28 days; and from £100 to £120 for those who pay within
42 days.
 Education-related penalty notices were introduced by the Anti-social
Behaviour Act 2003 which amended section 444 of the Education Act 1996 to
allow parents to be issued with a penalty where they failed to ensure their child
of compulsory school age (5-16) and school registered, regular attendance.
 Section 103 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 also requires parents
of excluded pupils to ensure that their child is not found present in a public
place during school hours in the first five days of their exclusion from school
without a justifiable reason.
 If parents fail in their duties they commit an offence either under section
444A of the Education Act 1996 or section 103 of the Education and Inspections
Act 2006 and can be served with a penalty notice by an authorised officer. Full
payment of the penalty discharges the parent from liability for conviction
following a prosecution.
 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1A) is liable on summary
conviction—(a)to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or (b)to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both.
King Edward VI High School
A Language College
Headteacher Mr J Christey
West Way, Stafford. ST17 9YJ
Telephone: (01785) 258546 Website: www.kevi.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Policy to be presented to governors:
Policy to be adopted: June 2014
Policy to be reviewed: June 2015