Attendance and Punctuality

Education is a right of all children, and good school attendance is essential in giving children the best possible start in life.

Regular school attendance helps pupils get the most out of their school experience for their attainment, wellbeing and wider life chances.

For the most vulnerable pupils, regular attendance also helps keep them safe and provides the best opportunity for any needs to be identified and support provided.

Attendance is a priority at Greave Primary and research both locally and nationally, demonstrates a clear link between good attainment and good attendance in schools.

We take a whole school approach to maintaining excellent attendance and it is the joint responsibility of parents/carers and all staff members to ensure that children are attending school as they should be. 

What is your role as a parent/carer in terms of attendance? 

• Bring your child to school on time everyday. Children should arrive ready for morning registration at 8.45am. School doors open from 8.30am giving you plenty of time to get settled and ready to learn. 
• Parents/carers should notify the school each day if a pupil is absent. This means ringing school each day a pupil will be off ill, unless an indication of how long they’re expected to be off has been given. You should aim to contact school before 9.15am. For safeguarding purposes we do not accept emails as a form of notification. We must speak to the parents or carer.
• Parents/carers should also give the school advanced notice of any appointments made during school hours. Proof of appointment should also be shown to the office in the form of a text/email/letter, Wherever possible appointments should be made outside of school hours. 

It is a parent/carer's legal obligation to get their child into school. If you’re struggling to get your child into school, please speak to us. We have a dedicated Pastoral Manager who can help offer support for you and your child.

The school has established an effective attendance and punctuality systems to monitor attendance. This includes sending out a letter to parent/carers whose child’s attendance and punctuality:

– Falls below 90%.
– Falls between 90% and 96%
– Children that are late
– Children that are continually absent due to illness

If attendance falls below 90% a pupil is classed as a persistent absentee and you will be asked to attend a meeting at school to discuss this.

 All pupils are expected to achieve an average attendance above 96%. When attendance falls below this, progress at school can be seriously affected. Pupils whose attendance is causing particular concern might be referred to the Local Authority. The Government classifies below 90% as persistent absence and requires pupil’s attendance to be closely monitored. The school will establish an effective and efficient system of communication with pupils, parents and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support. 

We endeavour to work with families to make sure that any problems or circumstances which may lead or be leading to poor attendance are given the right attention and appropriate support. We seek to ensure that all our pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise their true potential.

We actively reward pupils who arrive at school every day and on time. That is what our Attendance Hero initiative is all about.

HERE, EVERY DAY, READY, ON TIME

Every week, every pupil that has 100% attendance without any late marks they are entered into a prize draw. 

Our special attendance wheels then randomly selects two winners each week to receive a special reward. The winners are announced in our Friday morning celebration assembly. 

We have had rewards including extra playtime, vouchers and even trips to Wagamama for lunch! 

We also have a weekly class attendance award. The class with the best overall attendance get's to look after our attendance mascot - Barry the Bee!