Maynards Green Community Primary School

School attendance and absence: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Learners need to attend school regularly to benefit from their education.

Missing out on lessons leaves learners vulnerable to falling behind, both academically and socially. This impacts on their emotional wellbeing and creates further barriers to learning.

The government expects schools and local authorities to:

• promote good attendance and reduce absence, including persistent absence
• ensure every learner has access to full-time education to which they are entitled
• ensure the safeguarding of learners and
• act early to address patterns of absence

The government expects parent and carers to:

• perform their legal duty by ensuring their children attend school regularly

The government expects all learners:

• to be on time for their lessons

Government guidelines require school attendance of above 90%.

Good school attendance is central to raising standards in education and ensuring the safeguarding of learners.

When school attendance drops below 90%, the school and the local authority can help to identify the reasons for absence.

There can be many reasons for low attendance, and these can be complex. When we know the reasons, we can work with the student to put together an effective support plan.

In East Sussex our aim is to achieve excellent levels of attendance for all our learners and schools.

The Local Authority work with schools, colleges, settings and families. We work to find solutions that are inclusive, holistic, collaborative and innovative.

For more information, visit:

• https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6274ecb2d3bf7f5e3916fb5f/Summary_table_of_responsibilities_for_school_attendance.pdf
• https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/back-into-school/resources-for-families/

If you have attendance concerns, please contact the school in the first instance.

If you need to request a period of absence for your child, download and complete the form below ensuring at least 14 days notice of the proposed absence.

Please be aware that pupil absence will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.