School Attendance / Presenoldeb

At St Asaph VP Infant School we want the best for all the children in our care and we would like to politely remind you of the importance of good attendance at school. The significance of improving attendance is evidenced through the School Improvement Plan where it forms a key focus for this academic year 2023-34.

Good Attendance

Good attendance is above 95% and we expect this to be the minimum level for all children at the VP. Our whole school target is 95%. As a school, we are open for 190 days a year; this leaves 175 days for holidays, rest and non-urgent appointments.

The importance of regular attendance

There are many good reasons for encouraging regular school attendance which has been well researched and documented. For pupils the benefits include:

• Keeping up with their school work
• Ensure they meet their expected progress
• Develop better personal and social skills
• Learn habits needed for adult life e.g. punctuality and time management

Combined with benefits for school, staff and the wider community regular attendance at school has far reaching advantages for all parties concerned.

Lateness

Research shows a close link between attendance at school and a child’s achievement. Being late adds up to a loss of learning. If a pupil arrives after registration has closed the absence will be recorded as unauthorised for that session.

Authorised Absences

Where a pupil is absent due to sickness and is genuinely unable to attend school, then the school, after being informed, may authorise a child's absence. It is important to keep the school informed if your child is going to be absent at the start of the day. The school will have a clear process for you to follow. In law only a headteacher can authorise a pupil's absence, and may require additional evidence such as a letter from your GP.

Unauthorised Absences

The law states that parent/carer(s) must ensure that their child regularly attends the school where they are registered. Any child who is taken out of school during term time to go on holiday will receive an unauthorised absence in the register from their class teacher.

Actions due to poor attendance

Regular attendance is required by law and Wales is introducing Fixed Penalty Notice and Fines from September 2014 for parents who have children with more than 10 days of unauthorised absence. This can be issued for any absences not authorised by the school, including holidays. Denbighshire County Council will issue these notices when concerns are raised by school. 

Fixed Penalty Notices may be considered appropriate when:

• At least 20 sessions (10 school days) are lost due to unauthorised absence during the current term. These do not need to be consecutive.
• Persistent late arrival at school, i.e. after the register has closed, in the current term. “Persistent” means at least 10 sessions of late arrival.

Incentives

To promote good attendance in school we offer our pupils a number of incentives such as certificates for 100% and 95+%attendance each term. Pupils who get 100% attendance during the week get entered into a prize draw which is drawn during our Friday achievement assembly. We actively promote the benefits of good attendance to all pupils through circle time activities, assemblies and by staff simply talking to pupils.

School Community

We all need to work together to raise levels of attendance at school and I hope that you will support us in our drive to increase the attendance of all children at the VP!

New Holiday / Out of School Request Form

In term-time, parents do not have an automatic right to withdraw pupils for holidays and authorisation remains at the discretion of the Headteacher. All requests for holiday leave should be in writing, ideally four weeks before the holiday, the application can only be made by the parent/carer