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Regular attendance at school will impact on your child’s academic progress-pupils need to attend school regularly to benefit from their education. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind. Children with poor attendance tend to achieve less in both primary and secondary school.
Research indicates that there is a direct link between poor attendance and poor achievement. Goodwin Academy has a minimum target of 96% attendance for every child. A student who has only 90% attendance misses almost 4 weeks of school every year.
A pupil’s attendance will directly affect their achievement in school. Evidence shows that a pupil’s progress and attainment is affected if their attendance falls below 90% and statistics show that if pupils miss just 17 days (34 sessions) of school, their GCSE attainment is likely to drop by an entire grade.
It is important that we help our young people to get into the good habits that they will need in the workplace. Excellent attendance and punctuality are essential in their future employment and we regularly receive requests from potential employers for references regarding attendance and punctuality. Students who develop a poor pattern of attendance and punctuality will be monitored by the Attendance Team and you may be invited into school for a meeting. As a parent/carer, you are legally responsible for ensuring that your child attends school regularly and is punctual. If you fail to ensure this, you are committing an offence under the Education Act (1996) which may lead to a fine of up to £2500 and/or a prison sentence.
Penalty Notices are issued to each parent for each child who is absent without the agreement of the Principal. Penalty Notices carry a fine of £60 per parent, per child, if paid within 21 days increasing to £120 per parent, per child, if paid between 22-28 days. There is no right of appeal against the issuing of a Penalty Notice because the authorisation of absence is the sole responsibility of the Principal.
Where Penalty Notice(s) are unpaid, the Local Authority may consider taking legal action under Section 444(1) Education Act 1996 for failure to ensure a child’s regular attendance at school.
If this happens, the case will take place before magistrates who could issue the maximum fine of £1000 per parent per child for this offence.
Parents are asked to respect the new regulations under which the school must work and if there is a need to take a child out of school during term-time, an application or request must be made in advance and make clear how the circumstances are exceptional.
Parents are asked to respect the new regulations under which the school must work and if there is a need to take a child out of school during term-time, an application or request must be made in advance and make clear how the circumstances are exceptional.
Important Website Links:
School attendance – Kent County Council
Government Attendance & Absence
In order to ensure good attendance from all our pupils we have a graduated support system as outlined below:
Stage | Attendance Thresholds | Actions |
---|---|---|
Excellent | 96% - 100% | Rewards:
|
Stage 1 | Below 96%-94% |
|
Stage 2 | Below 94%-92% |
|
Stage 3 | Below 92%-90% |
|
Stage 4 | Below 90% |
|
Stage 5 | Attendance does not improve - statutory proceedings |
|
Persistent Absence is classed as any absence that equates to over 10% of the academic year at any given time. Any pupil who appears on the persistent absence list may be monitored formally by KCC Attendance Services. The thresholds are set out below:
Close of first half-term: 3.5 days in total
Close of 2nd half-term: 7 days in total
Close of 3rd half-term: 10 days in total
Close of 4th half-term: 12.5 days in total
Close of 5th half-term: 15.5 days in total
Close of 6th half-term: 19 days in total
Thank you for working in partnership with us to achieve the highest possible levels of attendance and punctuality at Goodwin Academy.
We have a dedicated team of staff at Goodwin Academy who work on attendance; Mr Barnes, Associate Assistant Principal works closely with the attendance officer, Ms Lawson, the HOY and when appropriate KCC Attendance services to scrutinise our attendance data daily, weekly and half termly.
As you would expect, we have very high standards and are committed to all our pupils making maximum progress. The attendance staff are always happy to offer advice and support to pupils, parents/carers and families on effective strategies for maximising attendance. If you would like more details, please do not hesitate to contact school.
Contact details
Mrs Maxine Davies Email: maxine.davies@goodwinacademy.tsat.uk Telephone: 03333 602210 | Ms Kristie Lawson Email: kristie.lawson@goodwinacademy.tsat.uk Telephone: 03333 602210 Ext. 26216 |