Opening Statement  

As required by the Department for Education's statutory guidance effective from the start of the 2024–25 academic year, our school is submitting daily attendance data to the DfE. This submission ensures compliance and supports robust monitoring of national attendance trends for local and regional benchmarking. 

Attendance Matters

Attendance and punctuality are very important at St. Barnabas. Regular attendance is paramount for our children to be able to achieve their best, both academically and in forming and maintaining friendships. The Government expect pupils to have a minimum level of attendance of at least 97% (5 days absence across the whole school year).   

This Attendance Ladder outlines the amount of ‘lost learning’ across an academic year due to absence from school. 

How should parents report absence?

If a child is absent from school, parents are asked to let the school know by telephone or email each day. It is essential that we account for each child every day to ensure they are safe at home with an adult. If we do not receive a phone call, we will call parents to obtain a reason for the absence. If this phone call is unanswered, school will carry out 'Safe and Well' checks by sending staff members to the pupil's home address. This is to ensure the family is safe and well. 

Regular attendance at school is vital if a pupil is to make good progress. 

How is absence monitored?

Absence is rigorously monitored throughout the year and reports are sent to the LAB (Governing Body) and DoWMAT. Where a pupil’s attendance is causing concern, we will contact parents to discuss how we might work together to improve it. Where there is insufficient reason to justify excessive absence, the Education Welfare Officer will contact the family. A status of Persistent Absence (PA) is given to pupils whose attendance is <90%. This means that these pupils are missing >10% of their learning time which can affect academic progress, emotional wellbeing and their general sense of belonging within the school community. 

What about medical appointments?

Medical appointments should be booked outside of school hours, where possible. Parents are asked to contact the school if a pupil will be absent for the morning or afternoon session because of a medical appointment.

What about holidays during term time?

Please be aware that in taking a holiday during term time, your child will miss key learning opportunities. Parents, who wish to take children on holiday at times other than the school holidays, should apply for and return a holiday form to the Headteacher via the school office at least 4 weeks prior to the intended absence. A copy of the form can be downloaded by found below. 

On 1 September 2013, the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 came into force, changing the rules about term-time holidays. The amendments remove references to family holidays and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of 10 school days. The amendments specify that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless they consider there to be “exceptional circumstances” for doing so. If leave is granted, headteachers should determine the number of days a child can be away from school. Following this change to the law, it is extremely unlikely that any holiday request during term time will be agreed. Cases will be looked at on an individual basis and written proof may be required by the school.
An exceptional circumstance is much more likely to be a one-off, unique situation. The examples of what might constitute exceptional circumstances might include:

• A parent or grandparent is seriously/terminally ill and the holiday proposed is likely to be the last such holiday
• There has recently been a death or other significant trauma in the family and it is felt that an immediate holiday might help the child concerned better deal with the situation
• The holiday is a unique, never to be repeated, occasion which can only take place at the time requested

It is important to note that these examples are not exhaustive, and each request is considered on an individual basis. Schools may require written proof to support the request.

Since the 2013 amendments, it has become extremely unlikely that any holiday request during term time will be agreed unless it meets the criteria for exceptional circumstances. Cases are looked at individually, and written proof may be required by the school. 

If you need assistance with a specific situation or further clarification, feel free to ask the school office. 

A headteacher will not accept as an exceptional circumstance the fact that a holiday is cheaper during term time.
In some cases a parent’s employer might restrict holidays to a certain time-period. In these circumstances, the headteacher may ask for written confirmation from the employer.

The headteacher will also look very carefully at the child’s previous attendance record and should he or she have concerns, for example should the child’s average attendance be below 95%, it is highly unlikely that the headteacher will agree to authorise any further absence.