Attendance Key Terms
#AttendanceTransforms
We know above everything being in school is the most important way for us to support our students. We encourage parents/carers to send their child into school with minor ailments (e.g. cough, cold). Our Pastoral Teams and Students Services will contact you if they are unable to stay in school
When we talk about good attendance
• We talk about above 95% attendance, this equates to a maximum of 9 days absent in a school year.
• That everyday counts - one gap can get bigger and bigger leading to a much bigger issue than people think.
• That 100% weeks are the way to improve (this includes Fridays!)
• Better attendance means better access to support.
• Better attendance means increased immediate well-being.
• Better attendance is linked to GCSEs which are linked to next steps, future earnings and lifelong well-being.
Attendance will be monitored when it falls below 95%
OTPA - A student who is on track to be a persistent absentee by the end of the year if they finish with:-
• 90% attendance = 19 Days off (4 weeks)
• Total Missed Learning: A minimum of 38 sessions = 100+ lessons.
PA - student who has already had more than 19 school days off this year and is guaranteed to finish the year below 90% attendance. Educational outcomes and confidence will be negatively impacted
Severe PA - a student with severe persistent absence has a current attendance below 50%. Educational outcomes, self esteem, social skills and personal development are severely hindered
Benefits of Attendance
Unauthorised Absence
Students who reach 10 unauthorised sessions absent (5 days) in a 10 week period (e.g. Week 110 in 2025/26) will be placed on Stage 1 Attendance Monitoring for 2 weeks.
Parental engagement with the Academy (absence contact, attending meetings) is essential
PARENTAL CONTACT Stage 1 Monitoring
• Phonecall from Attendance Link
• Formal letter explaining Attendance Monitoring
• ATTEND Framework meeting to identify barriers and agree strategies and actions
SUCCESSFUL MONITORING PERIOD (100%) No further
UNSUCCESSFUL
MONITORING PERIOD (less than 100%) Escalation to Genuine absence may lead to the monitoring period being extended
Education Welfare Officer Stage 2 Monitoring
• Students who fail Stage 1 monitoring are referred to our Education Welfare Officer
• A 2nd meeting will be arranged( phonecall and formal letter to parent/carers)
A) Review ATTEND framework barriers/strategies/actions
B) Review all support put in place to achieve 95% attendance
Parental engagement and student attendance improvement are clear No further action
Parental engagement and/or student attendance improvement are not evident
Notice To Improve Stage 3 Monitoring
1) Notice To Improve paperwork submitted to the Local Authority by the Academy
Successful NTI period Student shows significant attendance improvement
Unsuccessful NTI period
The Local Authority will issue a Fixed Penalty Notice 1st offence: £160 fine reduced to £80 if paid in 21 days 2nd offence: £160 fine (no reduction)
Attendance Incentives
The main incentives of 95%+ attendance are increased confidence in lessons and social situations, increased resilience to overcome challenges in and out of lessons and fantastic educational outcomes, both in the classroom and to broaden their horizons.
In addition to this we recognise the important of rewarding excellent overall or improving attendance. Our Student Voice helped us to design an Attendance Rewards programme to appeal to all students.
Individual Rewards
• Weekly Prize Draw: every week we award a minimum of 25 prizes (5 per year group) to students who have achieved a 100% week (5 days)
• Attendance Boost: every half term, we select 200 students (4 per Lesson 1 group) and set them a target. All students who meet their target receive a reward
• Half Term Prize Draws: up to £200 worth of vouchers are given away at the end of every half term - all students who achieve a 95%+ half term are entered
Year Group
Every term, year groups battle against each other to win the Attendance Takeover Day. Every student who achieves a 100% week scores a point. The winning year group gain a non uniform day on the final day of the term and other incentives.
Lesson 1 Group
• Attendance Leagues: each term Lesson 1 groups are pitted against each other in leagues. The Top 2 teams in each league progress to the Round of 16, Quarter Finals, Semi Final and Final. The winners get to choose the venue for their rewards trip.
• Attendance Streaks: Every 100% day a Lesson 1 group achieve starts a streak
• 3 x 100% days in a row = 2 x guaranteed Friday Prize Draw winners
• 5 x 100% days in a row = a reward for the Lesson 1 teacher
• 10 x 100% days in a row = Pizza party for the whole Lesson 1 group
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