School Support for Attendance
Good attendance at school is important for academic progress, social interaction with peers and the opportunity to participate in clubs and try new activities. At Beaconside, we have a clear expectation that students should aim for 100% attendance every year.
As you are aware, it is very important that your child attends school every day, on time, if they are able to do so. Regular attendance helps children to get the most out of their school experience, including their achievement, wellbeing and wider life chances. There are only a few circumstances in which a child is able to miss school, such as illness or if permission has been given because of an exceptional circumstance.
Absence that falls below 90% is classed as Persistent Absence - our theory is to work with families before a child's attendance falls below this percentage.
At Beaconside C of E Primary School and Acorn Nursery, we build strong relationships with families to ensure pupils have the support in place to attend school and identify the reasons for poor attendance. Schools recognise that poor attendance is often an indication of difficulties and trauma in a child’s life. This may be related to problems at home and/or in school. Parents should make school aware of any difficulties or changes in circumstances that may affect their child’s attendance and/or behaviour in school. This will help the school identify any additional support that may be required. It is expected that the
child and their family work collaboratively with school to identify the anxiety-based school avoidance.
It is important to remember that the vast majority of children at At Beaconside C of E Primary School and Acorn Nursery arrive on time and attend every day. An important part of our attendance policy is that we celebrate this with children and families throughout the year. The school will implement a range of strategies to support improved attendance for all pupils. Strategies used will include:
• School nurse support
• Pupil Voice Activities
• Anxiety-based attendance avoidance materials
• Trauma-informed approaches
• Bespoke timetables
• Inclusion resources
• Reintegration support packages
• Referrals to support agencies such as early help or family hubs
• Pupil Voice Activities
• Attendance contracts
Where intervention fails to bring about an improvement in attendance, the local authority will be notified and Julie Topping (Attendance Support Officer) will be able to offer school and home the support needed.
There are a few ways in which you can help support your child’s attendance:
- When ill, ensure the illness is genuine then phone the main school number before 9am to report the absence.
- If you discover your child is worried about anything at school, contact the main office and this will be referred to someone who can help .
- Only take family holidays during the school holidays. There are 190 school days in a year leaving 175 in which to take a holiday.
If you do feel like you need additional support around your child's attendance please contact the school office and ask for Mrs Prickett.
Westmorland and Furness
Attendance Information & framework for fines
If your child misses school without a good reason, the local authority can intervene and you may be issued with a fine.
From September 2024, the Department for Education introduced a new national framework which means that the same rules apply to all schools and local authorities when considering whether to issue a fine. Under the new framework, all schools are required to consider a fine when a child misses 10 or more sessions (five days) for unauthorised reasons and has to report these to the LA.
In many cases, schools and local authorities will offer support to try to improve your child’s attendance first, but if this is not effective, or the absence is for an unauthorised holiday in term time, you could be issued with a fine.
From August 2024 the amount of the fine increased to £80 if paid within 21 days or £160 if paid within 28 days. If a second fine is issued for the same child within a three year period the amount will be £160.
The number of fines you can receive for each child is capped at two within a three year period from the date of the first fine. If this limit is reached, other action, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered by the Local Authority. Fines are issued separately to each parent.
Please see the links below for further information.
Westmorland and Furness Attendance Website
