Attendance

Why Attendance Matters

As early as Primary school, children who miss just two school days each month are more likely to fall behind in reading, writing and maths, even if the absences are excused. While some challenges to a child’s attendance are unavoidable, it’s important to understand the impact of each absence. A child is classed as a persistent absentee if he or she misses only two days of school per month (18 days per year).

Even one year of persistent absence can cause a child to fall behind academically and decrease a child’s chances of obtaining GCSE’s when they leave high school, which can have long-term consequences on their financial independence, physical well-being and mental health. Parents can prepare their children for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority and understanding the reasons for their child’s absences

If Your Child is Absent..

If your child is going to be absent from school please inform us as soon as possible. If we have not been informed by 9.10am a text message/call will automatically be sent to the parents/carers. If there is no response to this message, our Attendance Officer Mrs Barber will attempt to contact you.  If we are unable to speak to you personally a voicemail message will be left, a telephone call will be made to other contacts and a home visit may be conducted.

Please note that we require daily contact for each your child is going to be absent to provide an update.

Where a child is absent due to sickness and is genuinely unable to attend school, then the school, after being informed, may authorise a child’s absent. Please see our leaflet, School Absence Explained, which explains authorised and unauthorised ailments in more details.

Poor Attendance

Here at Yew Tree it is deemed that if a child’s attendance figure goes below 92% they are classed as persistently absent. This equals to just 19 school days, so please help your child by ensuring they are in school unless there is a valid reason for their absence.

There is no automatic right to any leave of absence, and all schools in Tameside are encouraged to adopt a policy of not authorising exceptional leave. Being mindful of this, only in very exceptional circumstances i.e. bereavement, unexpected personal or family problems or illness. A Request for Leave of Absence form is available from the school office for parents requesting absence due to exceptional circumstances. Each request will be considered on an individual basis.

Click here to read a leaflet to help your child get back to school.

Click here to read our information leaflet on school attendance and why it matters