New Attendance Policy

 
Dear Parents/Carers,
 
Attendance at IVJS
 
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 persistent absentee 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 a persistent absentee.  
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. Phone call made by attendance officer. Stage 1 – IVJS letter sent to parents. Possible early help support offered.
7 days absence:
We monitor attendance more closely. Stage 2 - Letter 1 sent to parents as the concern will be that the child is in danger of becoming classed as a persistent absentee.  If accepted - parents will meet with the attendance lead to explore barriers and to discuss how the school can support.
10 days absence:
The child is a high risk of Persistent Absence. Stage 3 - Letter 1a sent to parents. 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 child is at serious risk of Persistent Absence. Stage 4 - Letter PCM1 Invite. The school will meet with parents and will write an attendance contract to ensure regular attendance. Attendance will be closely monitored and reviewed post parent contract meeting.  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 Persistent Absentee. Persistent Absence is when a pupil enrolment’s overall absence equates to 10 per cent or more of their possible sessions. Over an academic year this equates to 19 days. At this stage the child will be PA for the remainder of the school year. Safeguarding referrals at this stage can be made. The child and family will continue to be supported

Should you have any questions regarding attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Yours sincerely,
 
Mr Clifford
Deputy Head and Attendance Lead