Attendance and Lateness

At Larkmead we believe that every moment matters. Good attendance and getting to school on time means that students won’t be missing out on their learning, time with friends and their choice of around 50 clubs and activities at lunchtime and after school. The sense of belonging is key to the Larkmead experience, and we look forward to seeing all our students every day as part of a school where they should enjoy their learning, value their friendships and feel welcome and safe.

Attendance is clearly linked to progress and outcomes. Simply put, being at school regularly gives each student a better chance of securing the exam grades that will take them on to Sixth Form, College, apprenticeship, university and beyond. Good attendance gives you better chances and better choices.

There are 190 school days and 175 non-school days in each year. Attendance of 95% means that a student has missed 10 days of education, key learning and spending time with friends. 90% attendance means 19 days missed in a year, and over the 11 years of schooling that equals more than 1 year of school missed. The government target for attendance is 96%.

Good attendance is supported by House Points, which can translate to other rewards. Good and improved attendance is also recognised by the pastoral team, and those efforts to improve your attendance are key to getting on track with learning.

If a student has any particular concerns or anxieties, we encourage them to come into school and discuss these with a trusted adult. We will be able to work together to overcome barriers and support engagement and attendance. Parents and carers can contact the school so that we can work together to ensure that children are in school and thriving.

Absence should be reported to the School’s Attendance Officer on 01235 520141 (option 1) by 09:30 on the first day of absence or using the Report an Absence button in the My Child At School (MCAS) app. The school will require a prompt, clear, explanation for any absence.

Unexplained absences will be reported to the Education Health Officer.

The school day begins at 8.40. Punctuality is important and avoidable late arrivals are taken seriously. Persistent lateness will trigger internal interventions. Students arriving late must register at the school reception when they arrive. If a student arrives after 9.10 then they will not achieve a present mark for that session. This is one reason why lateness should be avoided.

In line with guidance from the DFE, the school will not authorise holidays in term time

The Attendance Policy for Children and Young People can be found here.

Attendance is a home/school partnership

By law, parents must send their children to school regularly and they may risk prosecution if they don’t.
It is the parents who have to make sure that their children attend punctually and remain in school.
Parents should make sure that their children arrive at school on time in their school uniform, properly equipped and ready to learn.
Parents should tell their children that the school expects them to keep to the Classroom Guidelines and School Rules.
The school must support attendance and take seriously problems which may lead to non-attendance.
By law, the LEA (Local Education Authority) must enforce school attendance. The County Attendance Team helps the LEA to carry out this duty.
In the eyes of the law, only the school can authorise absence, not the parent.

Persistent absence

The dept for education defines a persistent absentee as a student who has an attendance rate of below 90%. In such circumstances the school is required to take action to improve the situation which will include the following:

The school will contact home to find out why the student is absent.
An attendance contract may be put in place.
The school follows the oxfordshire county council’s local code of conduct on penalty notices. These will be issued to parents of students who persistently fail to meet school attendance requirements. The lea is kept informed of all attendance problems.
If necessary, the school will ask for the help of the county attendance team, who may consider legal action against parents of persistent absentees, which can include the issuing of a penalty warning notice, leading to a fine of £60 per parent.

What is authorised absence?

One where the school is satisfied that the student is absent because of genuine illness. It is the schools decision as to what will be deemed as authorised.
One where the school knows of the absence before it happens e.g. a medical appointment. We ask that where possible these are not in school time. If this is unavoidable absence should be minimal.
One where the absence is on a day which is of religious significance to the family.

what is unauthorised absence?

One where no explanation for the absence has been provided.
One where the absence is for a reason the school will not accept e.g. going shopping, a birthday treat, looking after the house or younger siblings, missing or not getting on the school bus, minor ailments.
One where parents support an absence which should not have happened.
One when a student is frequently late for school without good reason. Registers close at 09:15
One when a student arrives late and does not register at Student Services.

Truancy is recorded as an unauthorised absence

why is regular attendance so important?

It is the Law and it ensures that the student: –

Makes the most of what the school has to offer.
Avoids gaps in learning.
Does as well as possible in all sorts of schoolwork.
Achieves the best results at school.
Mixes and makes friends.
Has less chance of getting into trouble outside school.

We expect attendance to be 100% at all times, and it should NEVER fall below 97%.

What do we record?

Students are registered at the beginning of morning and afternoon school and they are recorded as PRESENT or ABSENT.

We must also record whether an absence is AUTHORISED or UNAUTHORISED.

We are legally required to record attendance carefully and ensure that there are no mistakes. Records may be used as evidence in Court.

Attendance records will be included when we write student references.

We may refuse to issue a work permit to students with poor attendance records.

returning after absence

Students must bring a dated and signed note explaining the absence to be handed to the Tutor on the day they return.
The note should include days and dates of absence.
All notes will be checked and, if necessary, followed up.
Students should talk to their teachers and arrange to catch up on any work they have missed.
In cases of a long absence because of illness, your child’s Tutor will be able to arrange for work to be sent home.

In exceptional circumstances, the school may require a Doctor’s note for every absence.