Attendance

100% 

The importance of good attendance, including punctuality, is communicated regularly to parents. Good attendance is celebrated and rewarded and schools have various incentives to encourage children to maintain good attendance.

96%

The attendance target set by the school is 96%. Research clearly shows that pupils achieving at or above 96% attendance benefit from significantly better outcomes than pupils who fall below this level. When a child’s attendance falls below 96%, parents will be contacted, in writing, as an early alert that their child attendance may be close to falling below the expected 96%.

92%

Anything below 90% is defined as ‘persistent absence’ (Government directive). Pupils falling below this level of attendance are seen to be ‘persistently absent’, which will have a significantly negative effect on their education. As such, parents of pupils falling below 92% attendance will be contacted, in writing, so they are aware their child’s attendance is of concern and is close to the persistent absence level of 90%. Parents may be contacted to attend an ‘Attendance concern’ meeting to outline targets and strategies that can support their child in improving their attendance at school.

90%

Pupils with attendance below the national floor target of 90% are considerably damaging their chances of success. Legislation states that the responsibility for a child’s attendance at school lies with the parent or guardian.Parents will be required to attend an ‘Attendance concern’ meeting to outline targets and strategies than can support their child in improving their attendance at school.If absence is due to medical reasons, the school may require further evidence before they authorise absence. This should be in the form of, but not limited to, a GP’s letter, an appointment letter, a dated prescription in the name of the pupilIn line with school policy, a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £160 per parent and per child may be issued by Surrey County Council for persistent absence.