Morchard Bishop C of E Primary School

Attendance

Morchard Bishop Primary School is committed to maximising the achievement of all our students. There is a clear link between good attendance and educational achievement. Our aim is to promote regular attendance and excellent punctuality in order to ensure all our students achieve their potential. If a school can improve attendance by 1%, they will see a 5-6% improvement in attainment. Please help us and your child by ensuring his/her attendance remains at 100%, allowing him/her to achieve their potential.
 
Why is attendance important?
 
 
Ways for parents to promote regular attendance:
• Talk regularly with your child about school and how they feel about it. They are more likely to attend if they feel supported and their anxieties listened to.
• Phone school as soon as possible as to why your child is absent and when you expect them to return. Putting the school number in your phone can save time.
• Only grant days at home for genuine illness. (you will know)!
• Avoid taking holidays in term time. They will not be authorised.
• Know the routine of the school day to avoid issues e.g. have they for their PE kit If you have concerns ring and we will check attendance and be discreet.
• Praise and reward good attendance: even small success, e.g. going in promptly, even when the first lesson is the worst!

Attendance Monitoring Procedure

To ensure a consistent and fair approach to attendance, we follow a clear procedure for responding to student absences. This process includes a series of trigger points designed to help identify and address attendance concerns early:

97% Attendance – You will receive a phone call or email from the school to inform you of your child’s current attendance percentage.

 95% Attendance – This is the first formal trigger point. You will receive a letter expressing concern about your child’s attendance and reminding you of the importance of regular school attendance.

93% Attendance – You will again receive a phone call or email from the school to make you aware of your child’s current attendance percentage.

 

92% Attendance – This is the second formal trigger point. At this stage, you will receive a letter inviting you to meet with the Academy Head. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss any concerns, explore possible support, and develop an action plan to help improve attendance.

 

90% Attendance – At this level, a referral will be made to the Attendance Improvement Officer (AIO). A penalty notice may be issued by Devon County Council. Please note: these absences do not have to be related to holidays. They may also include absences where no evidence has been provided (despite requests), absences where the reason is not deemed genuine or sufficient to keep a child from school, or where a student has received a “U” mark for lateness.