Attendance

Our Attendance Champions

• Our attendance champions are Mrs Tindale and Mrs Hutchinson.
• At Churwell Primary Academy we encourage all children to have a minimum of 96% attendance or above.
• Students should attend the academy every day it is open and on time, unless they are genuinely ill.

 

Reporting Absences

• Notify the Academy: If your child is absent without prior permission, contact the Academy by telephone, ParentMail or call into the office the morning of the first absence and provide expected return details. Keep the Academy updated each day of absence.
• Telephone Number: The number to call is 0113 2527437
• Unexplained Absences: The Academy will promptly follow up on any unexplained absence.

 

Providing Evidence for Absences

• If a student is absent for 4 days or less, please contact the Academy every day.
• If absent for 5 days or longer, provide medical evidence such as an appointment card, prescription, or photograph of prescribed medication, Absences may be marked as unauthorised if evidence is not provided.
• If your child is absent immediately before or after the official school holidays this will not be authorised unless you provide medical evidence/evidence of exceptional circumstances.

 

Illness

• Minor Illness: For conditions like headaches, sore throats, or period pain, please send your child to school and provide appropriate prescribed medication if needed.
• Severe Illness: If your child cannot get out of bed, please notify the Academy and ensure they return as soon as possible, even if not fully recovered.
• Long-Term Illness: If absent for more than 15 days (cumulatively or consecutively), the Local Authority will be informed.

 

Appointments

• Appointments Outside School Hours: Where possible, arrange medical or dental appointments outside school hours.
• Appointments During School: If an appointment is during school time, your child should attend school for the rest of the day.
• Providing Appointment Details: Provide a copy of appointment paperwork (e.g., letter, appointment card) to the Office or Attendance Champions as soon as possible.
• Full Day Absence: A full day’s absence for an appointment will not be authorised.

 

Leave of Absence (Including Holidays During Term Time)

• Holidays in Term Time: Due to government legislation, the Academy cannot authorise holidays during term time. This absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
• Exceptional Circumstances: Leave of absence may be granted for:
  • Regulated performance or employment abroad
  • Interviews for other educational settings or employment
  • Time-limited part-time timetable
  • Other exceptional circumstances
• Request Process: Requests should be made in advance by completing a leave of absence form, at least 4 school weeks before the leave.
• Leave Decision: The Head Teacher will consider each request, and the decision is final. If leave is unauthorised, absence will be marked as unauthorised, and parents may receive a Penalty Notice from the Local Authority.
• If your child is absent either before or after a leave of absence this will not be authorised unless you provide medical evidence/evidence of exceptional circumstances e.g. due to travel disruption

 

Religious Observance

• Absence for religious observance will be authorised if it falls during school time and is observed by the student's faith group.
• Notification: Notify the Academy in writing in advance if the absence is due to religious observance.

 

Addressing Attendance Concerns

• Patterns of Absence: If there are concerns about attendance or punctuality, the Academy will contact parents to work together on improvement.
• Persistent absence: Letters will be sent every ½ term if your child’s attendance falls below 90%. The Attendance Champions will monitor these children and if no improvement seen parents/carers will be invited into school for a meeting.
• Home Welfare Checks: If there are welfare concerns or the reason for absence is unclear, a home welfare check may be conducted.
• Long-Term Absences:
  • After 12 days of absence, a safeguarding concern card will be issued.
  • After 15 days, the Police may be notified.
  • After 20 days, a referral to the Local Authority will be made.

 

Follow-Up on Absence

• No Contact from Parents: If no contact is made by the parent, the Academy will:
  • Attempt phone contact after 9:30 am.
  • Conduct a home visit if possible.
  • Require medical evidence if attendance is being monitored.
  • Ensure safeguarding by contacting the family if no communication is received.

 

Celebrating Good Attendance

• The Academy celebrates and rewards students with good attendance to encourage a positive culture of regular school attendance.
• Weekly ‘Class of the Week attendance Award – extra playtime reward for winners.
• Weekly ‘I shine I’m on time’ Award – certificate and sticker.
• ½ Termly 100% Badge.
• Yearly 100% award – Book and badge reward.
• Other attendance incentives for example,  Cinema tickets or vouchers