Attendance

As part of our commitment to improving attainment of our pupils, we monitor attendance on a regular basis and identify any pupil whose attendance causes concern. Children are required to maintain and attendance of 96% and above, for those children who fall below this level we are required to start to the Academy monitoring attendance procedure, detailed below.

Daily Attendance and Absence Procedures 

Our morning register is taken at 8:45am and will be kept open until 9:05am. A pupil who arrives late after 9:05am but before 9:15am will be marked as late (L code).

A pupil who arrives after 9:15am will be marked with the appropriate code.

These can include; M - Medical Appointment, I - Illness, C - Other authorised circumstances, V - Educational Visit or Trip, U - Late, arrived after 9:15am and N - No reason yet provided for a child's absence.

  • Registers are updated by the Academy office with marks from late arrival or absence information given by parents
  • Phone calls will be made to parents of absent children to ascertain reason for absence. Office staff will work through children's given contacts.
  • Marks are updated on (SIMS) after these phone calls are made

Authorised and Unauthorised Absence

The school can authorise the absence of a child due to:

  • Sickness/Illness
  • Exceptional family circumstances
  • Medical appointments, with appointment evidence
  • Examinations, as agreed by the Head Teacher with supporting evidence

Unfortunately, the Academy cannot authorise;

  • Minor ailments - The Academy can administer medication with parents/carers permission
  • Birthdays or trips
  • Oversleeping/tiredness
  • Parents waiting in for workmen/deliveries
  • Confusion about a return to school date
  • Shopping or day trip
  • Looking after siblings
  • Taking a full day for a single local medical appointment
  • We are not allowed to authorise family holidays unless there are very exceptional circumstances. This is the same for all schools.

Reporting Absence

Your child's absence can be reported via the Study Bugs app - Studybugs – Parents

Alternatively, you can report your child's absence by telephoning the admin office on 01458 443340 or emailing office@brooksideacademy.co.uk

Monitoring attendance

We have to by law monitor and work with parents and carers to improve any attendance which is a concern. There is a clear process which we have to follow.

Every half term we will monitor individual attendance across all classes.

96% - 100%: Great! You are on track and getting the best start for your education!

94% - 95%: Satisfactory.

Where a child`s attendance drops below 95% you will receive a letter informing you of this and asking you to consider the implications further absence could have on your child`s attendance. This can happen after genuine illness and often improves over the next half term once the child is fully recovered.

92% - 94%: Needs improvement.

If your child’s attendance continues to fall and reaches this level, you may be invited into school to discuss strategies to improve your child’s attendance. Please act of this meeting and aim for improvement.

90% - 92%: At risk of becoming a Persistent Absentee (PA) pupil.

If your child is at this level, you will be made aware of the fact. You will be asked to attend a meeting regarding this low level of attendance. Attendance targets will be set. Staff will work with you to support any targets and actions set.

Below 90% attendance: Persistent Absentee (PA).

Pupils are identified as persistent absentees if they miss 10% or more of their possible sessions. Somerset Education Safeguarding Service will be advised. Formal intervention and a referral can be actioned. This could lead to formal court action and a parental fine.

Lates

We will also closely monitor children who are late into school. If we notice a pattern, we will contact you to address any worries or concerns you may have for that child.

What can you do to help?

  • Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day.
  • Take an interest in what is happening for your child in school. Ask them about their day and praise and encourage their achievements at school.
  • If you think you might need to take your child out of school, discuss the reasons with the school as early as possible. Add any supporting evidence
  • If your child is ill or absent for any other reason, contact the school on the first day of absence
  • Follow the school’s procedures for notifying absence, and always let the school know of any days that your child is unable to attend.
  • If you suspect that your child may be missing school or is unhappy at school, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can work with you to resolve any difficulties.

Useful information

Please find below to some useful documents which support attendance at school;

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/school-anxiety-and-refusal/

https://www.brooksideacademy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Attendance-Policy.pdf