This Week Attendance Figures

Important Update: Changes to Education-Related Penalty Notices

You may be aware that the Department for Education has recently announced national changes to penalty notices. This has been issued for unauthorised absence in term time and will come into effect on 19 August 2024.

What’s Changing?

Starting from 19th August 2024, penalty notices issued for offenses will be charged at a new rate of £160 per parent per child. However, if paid within 21 days, the amount reduces to £80.

Why Does It Matter?

Regular school attendance is crucial for your child’s educational progress. Being present allows children to form lasting friendships, develop essential interpersonal skills, and contribute to better mental health and overall well-being.

Unauthorised Absences and Fines:

• Parents should be aware of the national framework threshold.
• First time offenders face a £160 fine per parent per child, reducing to £80 if paid within 21 days.
• Second-time offenders (within 3 years) pay £160 per parent, per child.
• Third offenses may lead to legal action and fines up to £1000.
  Safeguard Your child’s education:

Stay informed and continue to look at our school website for full details on the changes and how they impact your child’s attendance.

More details about the ‘National Framework Threshold’ can be found by visiting:

Working together to improve school attendance (applies from 19 August 2024) (publishing.service.gov.uk) page 54.

The school is here to support you, get in touch if you would like to discuss anything detailed above or refer to our parent letter (add the link please) or the National Framework Penalty Leaflet.

Attendance at Corpus Christi

At Corpus Christi we believe that regular and punctual attendance is crucial for children to achieve their full potential at school. Only by regular attendance can children access the quality education that is offered at school.  This is clearly stated in The Department for Education (DFE) school attendance document:

“Central to raising standards in education and ensuring all pupils can fulfil their potential is an assumption so widely understood that it is insufficiently stated – 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.”

Our aim is that our whole school attendance be in line with or above local and national figures. Our school target is 96% or higher.

We are therefore, committed to the following principles:

• Encourage all pupils to attend school and achieve their full potential
• Promote good attendance throughout the school, aiming for at least 96% for the academic year
• Monitor attendance and punctuality rigorously
• Work in partnership with parents and carers in promoting excellent attendance and punctuality

Absence Procedures

Parents/carers must:

• Contact the school office every day of an absence before 9:00am
• Update the school on their child’s condition and expected day of return.
• A daily phone call and or text message is sent to the parent/carer if they have not reported their child’s absence.

If contact cannot be made with the parent/carer, a home visit may be carried out by the School Attendance team.

In the case of regular absence or continued absence, medical evidence will be required. This evidence may include:

• A GP appointment card (name/date/time clearly stated)
• Prescription
• Medical Packaging
• Medication
• Hospital Letter/ Appointment Letter

Persistent Absence

The Department of Education definition of “persistent absence” is any child whose attendance falls below 90%.

Any child whose attendance falls below 90% is classed as a persistent absentee and will be referred to our Education Welfare Officer. This may lead to court action.

If we can provide any further support or advice, please contact the school office on 01902 866840

Lateness

The school gates open t 8:30am and closes at 8:45am. All children should be in class for the close of registration at 8:45am. Any children who arrive after this time will be marked as late.

It is our responsibility to provide the best education possible. This can only be achieved if children attend regularly and on time. We expect all children to arrive at school registrations on time. Poor punctuality is not acceptable. A child arriving late disrupts learning. A build-up of lateness or unacceptable patterns of lateness over a period of time will result in further follow up investigation and action.

Below is a break down of why it is important to be punctual

Attendance Rewards

Every child, who gets 100% weekly attendance has their name put in our attendance box. The winning child gets a prize!

Meet ‘Ginny’ our attendance mascot. Each week the class with the highest attendance wins a bone to feed Ginny.  The more bones Ginny gets in her bowl, the higher the rewards for the class. Classes get to chose their own reward from: extra 10 minutes playtime, wear own clothes, play a class game etc.

For term dates please click here.