Attendance

100%

Achieve a certificate & prize at annual award event

96%

Above school average

95%

Below School average.
Letter home to highlight concerns with parents

 

 

Below 92%

School sets internal school target

Continued poor attendance and/or unauthorised absences.

Referral to Warwickshire Attendance Service (WAS) which usually leads to a formal pre legal meeting.

 

The Warwickshire Attendance Service (WAS) has the lead role in ensuring that the legislation in relation to a child’s school attendance is being followed.
WAS has a responsibility to assist schools, students and parents or carers to improve school attendance in order to maximise the educational opportunities available to children. This involves working with schools, children and families, as well as with the community and other agencies in order to perform these duties.

Ensuring Children’s Rights to an Education

Most attendance problems can be resolved by talking with the school and agreeing actions to help with the problems identified. However, there are occasions when students are absent for no legitimate reason. In these situations, the school has a legal duty to ensure a student’s right to access education as outlined in the following legislation:

The Education Act 1996
The Children’s Act 1989
The Children’s Act 2004
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998
The Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003
PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) 1984
The Human Rights 1998

The Legal options that the WAS is required to consider includes prosecuting for regular non-attendance and issuing Fixed Penalty Notices. In an attendance court case, the Magistrate can issue fines of up to £2500 or detain parents in prison for a maximum of three months. The Magistrate can also direct the WAS to run Parenting Orders and Education Supervision Orders with families.

The Pre Legal Meeting

Pre Legal Meetings are run by the WAS at The Polesworth School on a regular basis. The Pre Legal Meeting is a fast track prosecution process. Parents are invited to discuss the attendance of their child. If no legitimate reason for absence can be identified, an attendance target is set. If the target is not achieved, a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is issued. If the FPN is not paid, the case of failure to ensure regular school attendance will be heard in a Magistrates Court.

Holidays in Term Time

Under legislation we are no longer able to authorise holidays during term time.

Leave of absence

This is only authorised in extenuating circumstances.  Absences from school can only be considered if the form below is completed and returned to Mrs Holland, Heads’ PA either via email to n.holland@thepolesworthschool.com or via reception.

Leave of absence request form

And finally…

The vast majority of parents do not have contact with the WAS and work closely with the school if any attendance problems arise. If you have any queries in relation to attendance matters please contact your child’s Head of Year.