The school attaches great importance to maintaining high levels of attendance as it is essential to children making progress in learning. Attending school every day and on time is the best way to ensure your child makes the progress they should and achieves their potential.

The school expects all pupils to achieve the school target of 95% for 2022-23.

We will do all we can, within the boundaries of the School/LA Policy, to support families in ensuring their child achieves excellent attendance. Please work with us to achieve this and come into school if you wish to discuss any concerns or ask any questions.

Our Attendance Policy is available on the School Policies page on this website or from the school office.

School procedures

Parents are expected to inform the school before the start of the school day if their child is going to be absent and give a reason for that absence (01685 840293). If there is no known reason for the absence at registration, then the absence will be recorded in the first instance as unexplained and promptly followed up by the school, as part of its early intervention and safeguarding strategies.

Leave of absence/holidays in term time

Leave of absence during term time will be discouraged. Parents and carers do not have the automatic right to withdraw their children from school for an annual holiday and will be reminded of the effect that absence can have on a pupil’s potential achievement.

The school will consider any application for leave of absence and will only agree to authorise the absence in exceptional circumstances and where the child’s attendance is above 95%; parents and carers must apply in advance for permission for their child to have leave of absence. A holiday form is available from the school office.

Parents and carers are advised that a Fixed Penalty Notice (Fine) may be issued by the LA when permission for a holiday or leave of absence has not been authorised by the school and exceeds 10 sessions (5 days). The Local Authorities Local Code of Conduct has more information on this. Code-of-Conduct-FPN.aspx (caerphilly.gov.uk)

Lateness

Morning registration will take place at the start of school at 9:00am. The registers will remain open for a maximum of 30 minutes, in accordance with WG guidance.  Any pupil arriving after this time will be marked as having an unauthorised absence, unless there is an acceptable explanation.

Parents and carers are reminded that The LA may issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (Fine) for persistent lateness.

Continuing and frequent absence

In cases where a pupil begins to develop a pattern of absences, the school will try to resolve the problem as soon as possible, before a referral is made to the Education Welfare Service (EWS). This may involve inviting the parents or carers and the pupil into school for a meeting.

For unauthorised absences of 10 sessions or more in a school term (5 days), the school can request the LA issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (Fine) in accordance with the Local Code of Conduct.

Persistent absence

Welsh Government defines persistent absence as pupils whose absence level is more than 20% (80% attendance). These pupils will be subject to an action plan to support their return to full attendance. The action plan will include engagement with relevant agencies that can support the pupil’s attendance.

Fixed Penalty Notices
Improving regular attendance at school is a key priority, both locally and nationally.

In 2014, The Welsh Government introduced important amendments to legislation surrounding school attendance. The Education Act 1996 makes it a criminal offence for a parent to “fail to secure their child’s regular attendance at the school”