Absence Procedures
At Shiphay Learning Academy, we aim to ensure that all children receive an education that maximises opportunities for each pupil to reach their full potential. In order to achieve this, we work hard to provide a welcoming, caring learning environment where every member of the school community feels valued.
Every School Day Counts!
In order for our pupils to achieve their very best it is of paramount importance that their attendance is good. Every lesson really does count for your child and catching up on lost time from school can be really difficult. Good attendance is linked to achievement, better relationships with other children and overall better behaviour. Often, the reason that children are absent from school is due to illness. You can help to ensure that your child’s attendance is good by leading a healthy lifestyle: exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and maintaining a balanced diet. Missing any period of time of schooling has been proven to be detrimental, both academically and socially. We understand that sometimes absence cannot be avoided, but it is important that we share with you the following information:
Attendance | Impact on learning in the year | Outcome |
100% attendance | 0 weeks of learning missed | Best chance of success – well done! |
95% attendance | 1 week, 4 days of learning missed | Poor attendance – we’re worried |
90% attendance | 3 weeks, 4 days of learning missed | Classed by the government as persistent absentee – your child will be falling behind their peers |
85% attendance | 5 weeks, 3 days of learning missed – that is the equivalent of the January half-term | You may be asked to sign a parenting contract – your child will need intervention in school |
80% attendance | At least 7 weeks, 3 days of learning missed | You may be referred to social care for neglect. Your child will be considerably behind their peers and it will be difficult for them to catch up without significant input from school and home |
Absences
If your child is poorly you must contact school before 9:30am to inform the Office that your child will be absent from school and to give a reason for that absence. You must do this on each day of your child's absence.
You do this by ringing 01803 613556 and selecting Option 1 from the menu available. We then record this information and pass it on to teachers. We ask you to ring each day to keep us updated. A member of the administrative staff checks absences every day and follows up with a call where we have not been notified of a child's absence, in line with our Safeguarding procedures.
If your child is going to be absent for any length of time, we are happy to provide work for them to complete which can be picked up from The School Office and returned for marking. If your child is in Year 4-Year 6, this work will be provided on their iPad.
If your child has received specialist care for a medical condition, please ask them for some guidance on supporting their return to school, particularly regarding playtimes and P.E.
We are required by law to record absences and share these figures with parents, Torbay LA and the DfE. An absence is considered to be unauthorised if we have not been informed by parents.
Parents at Shiphay are really good at letting us know when their child is absent, so keep helping us to make sure that our unauthorised absence figures remain low.
Holidays During Term Time
Shiphay Learning Academy Local Governing Body may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Governing Body can also decide the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted. Further details can be found in the school’s Attendance Policy, found on the school website www.shiphay.com
If a request is made for an absence in term time, you must have Parental Responsibility and be the parent with whom the child normally lives. Permission must be sought in advance by completing an Absence Request form. If you do not have Parental Responsibility and/or do not normally live with the child, you must seek the consent of the parent who does and that person should complete the Absence Request form.
Authorisation for term-time absence must be sought before booking a holiday in term-time. Absence will not be authorised for applications:
During September; this is to allow the children to settle into their new class and establish relationships and routines. Pupils who are absent during this period sometimes never settle back in and have a less than successful year as a result.
During May for Year 2. This is when SATs tasks are undertaken.
During March, April and May (until after SATs are completed) for Year 6 to allow for revision and preparation. We do not spend the year preparing but give intensive support.
During May and June for Year 1 due to the statutory Phonics Screening Check and also for Year 2 pupils who did not attain the threshold in Year 1 who will be required to retake the test in June.
Where attendance is low; below 90% where attendance is subject to improvement targets.
Please note: If the school refuses your request and the child is still taken out of school, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence. If a child has 10 or more sessions of unauthorised absences (one school day is made up of two sessions) within any six month period, parents will be liable to receive a Penalty Notice of £60 per parent/carer, per child if paid in full within 21 days or £120 if paid in full after this time but within 28 days. Part or late payments cannot be accepted and there is no legal right to appeal the Penalty Notice once it has been issued. If a Penalty Notice goes unpaid, this is likely to result in Court proceedings being instigated for an offence of failing to ensure regular school attendance contrary to section 444 Education Act 1996.