Attendance Policy Update 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians,

​At IVJS we want every child to meet their potential and we know that to do this they need to be attending school regularly.  Irregular attendance is defined by the government as a child missing 10% or more of the school year, this equates to 19 days.  The government uses the term as persistently absent to describe a child who misses 19 days of school in a year. 
We know that it is not always possible for a child to attend school every day as they do occasionally become ill.  As always, when we monitor attendance we will be using a common sense approach.  However, we are required to monitor attendance and act on poor attendance by following the Council’s policy.  Below we have made a flow chart to show the processes and also to show you how quickly your child could be classed as persistently absent. 
We will always work with you and try to support you if there are barriers to your child attending regularly.  If your child’s attendance is poor, we will meet with you and if necessary explain the Council’s policy. 
IVJS is a place where every child belongs.  We create a welcoming environment to allow all children to gain a sense of belonging and ultimately achieve academically through regular school attendance.
 
4 days absence
We start to monitor attendance to ensure that the child attends school regularly.  If appropriate Stage 1 letter is sent to parents.  Possible early help support offered 
 
7 days absence
Stage 2 letter sent to parents as the concern will be that the child is in danger of becoming classed as ‘Persistently absent’.  If appropriate parents will meet with the attendance lead to explore barriers and to discuss how the school can support. 
 
10 days absence
The child is at high risk of becoming persistently absent, a Stage 3 letter will be sent to parents where apporpriate.  Parents meet with attendance lead and we will consider support from external agencies.  Attendance lead will explain the Bucks attendance policy and the legal requirements for children to attend school.
 
13 days absence
The school will meet with parents and will write an attendance contract to ensure regular attendance.  Attendance will be closely monitored and reviewed in two weeks.  The school will continue to support the family.

16 days absence
The school will be working closely with Bucks Council.  All avenues of support will have been exhausted and the support is not working or not being engaged with.  The school will now ask Bucks council to enforce attendance through statutory intervention to protect the child’s right to an education.
 
19 days absence
The child is now considered a Persistently Absent child.  Safeguarding referrals may be made at this stage.  The school will continue to work with the family to improve the child’s attendance.

Kindest regards,

Miss J Digweed/Mr P Clifford

Click here for more information and the full policy on our attendance page