Attendance 

Attendance at School

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At Abbeyfield School, we envision a future where our young people can fulfil their dreams and reach their full potential. Regular school attendance is the most important factor in achieving this.

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We hold high expectations and strive for all students to attend school 100% of the time. Staying true to our tagline, “Big enough to make a difference, yet small enough to know each child,” we ensure support and interventions to improve attendance are personalised, child-centred, and supportive. While attendance is the legal responsibility of parents/carers, at Abbeyfield School, attendance is everyone’s responsibility.

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What is ‘Good’ Attendance?

We aim for all students to achieve 100% attendance, with excellent attendance defined as between 97.5% and 100% and good attendance being 95% and above, all to ensure a fulfilling school experience.

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School Start Times

To get the best start and make the most of their school experience, students should be on site by 8:30 am, with tutor time beginning promptly at 8:40 am.

Students who arrive late to tutor without a valid reason will receive a break-time detention. Students arriving after registration closes will be marked as unauthorised absence (U code).

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Absence from School

Attainment-Attendance Link

Research on the link between attainment and attendance has demonstrated that, pupils who attended school nearly every day in Year 11 (with an attendance rate of 95-100%) were 1.9 times more likely to achieve the Grade 5 in English and Maths GCSE compared to pupils who only attended 90-95% of the time (relating to up to 2 weeks more time in school over the course of a year) and 3 times more likely than persistently absent pupils who only attend 85-90% of the time (relating to 4 - 6 weeks more time in school).

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It is important to understand what the different percentage bands mean as a total of missed time in school over the academic year; the table below shows the impact of this.

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Concerns for absence are when a student has 5% absence to 9% absence, and this can equate to between 9.5 - 19 days or 48 - 95 lessons missed of learning over the school year.

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At 10% absence, a child is considered persistently absent, and it is likely, if no medical evidence supports the absence, that the local authority will be contacted. This level of absence is severely detrimental to learner’s outcomes. Those who are persistently absent miss a minimum of 19 days or 95 lessons of learning.

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Illness

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If your child is unwell, please consider whether they are mildly “under the weather” and can attend school, as many minor illnesses like mild colds or tiredness can be managed in school.

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However, more serious illnesses—such as prolonged vomiting (not one-off events), high temperature, flu, or diarrhoea—are valid reasons for authorised absence.

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If concerned about your child’s health, please contact your GP for advice or a same-day appointment. Students with mild symptoms should attend school as usual. For guidance, please refer to the NHS resource:

 

Is my child too ill for school?

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Short-Term Illness: Attendance Expectations and Penalties

If your child is genuinely too ill to attend, you are not breaking the law and will not be penalised. Please inform the school on the first day of absence; this will be recorded as authorised.

For ongoing or frequent illness-related absences, we encourage you to speak with your child’s pastoral leader to discuss appropriate support. We will monitor these absences and will invite parents/carers into school to discuss further.

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Taking Your Child Out of School During Term Time

There are 190 school days per year and 175 other days for holidays and non-urgent appointments. Abbeyfield School will not authorise any holidays or time off during term time unless that request is for ‘exceptional circumstances.’

Absences during term time can affect academic progress. The Department for Education permits authorised absences only in exceptional circumstances, which include:

· Family emergencies

· Funerals of close family members

· Weddings of close family members

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Where unauthorised holidays are taken, the school will discuss the case with the Education Welfare Officer and will issue a Fixed Penalty Notice. Students may require time off school to attend sporting events, perform in concerts, receive specialist coaching or competing in national/International competitions. These will be authorised on an individual basis providing sufficient evidence is provided These requests must be submitted to Mr Norgrove, Headteacher, in advance and will be considered on an individual basis.

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Unauthorised Absence and Penalty Notices

If a pupil accumulates 10 or more sessions (equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a 6-month period, the Education Welfare Service will be notified. This may result in the Local Authority issuing a Penalty Notice to each parent for each child.

Please review the Local Authority’s leaflet on Penalty Notices for unauthorised holidays. If you wish to request leave during term time, please complete the form provided on the website Leave of Absence Request form. Leave will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

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What is a Penalty Notice?

A Penalty Notice is a formal warning and fine issued under Sections 444A and 444B of the Education Act 1996 to parents/carers when attendance issues persist despite their ability to address them. It aims to improve attendance without court proceedings.

Why Are Penalty Notices Issued?

· Poor attendance negatively affects a child’s learning and future success.

· Persistent absence increases risks of anti-social behaviour or crime.

· Poor attendance reduces chances of employment or training after school.

 

Key Facts About Penalty Notices

· Who issues them? Local Authority via the Education Welfare Service.

· How? Sent by post to your home.

· Cost: £80 if paid within 21 days; £160 if paid within 28 days.

· If unpaid after 28 days: Legal action begins, potentially resulting in:

o A fine up to £1,000

o Parenting Order

Note: Payment discharges liability for the covered period, but further poor attendance may lead to additional legal action.

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When Might a Penalty Notice Be Issued?

· Repeated failure to provide valid reasons for absence.

· Unauthorised holidays or leave in term time.

· Referral to an Education Welfare Officer with no improvement after intervention.

Typically, at least 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence within 10 weeks are required before a Penalty Notice is considered

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Parental Responsibility

As a parent/carer, you are legally responsible for ensuring your child receives a full-time education between the ages of 5 and 16. Your child must attend daily unless:

· They are too ill to attend.

· You have authorised leave from the school for exceptional reasons.

· They are observing a recognised religious day.

While some absences are unavoidable, it is vital your child attends every day they are well enough.

Further Guidance

For more information, please see the Department for Education’s guide for parents: A Guide for Parents on School Attendance (PDF)

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Support:

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At Abbeyfield School, we foster a culture of collective responsibility "we are all in this together.” When concerns arise regarding a student’s attendance, we believe the most effective way to address them is through a supportive and collaborative process.

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We recognise that anxiety, mental health, and emotional wellbeing significantly affect young people’s attendance and engagement. According to the mental health charity MIND, seven in ten young people (68%) have missed school due to mental health challenges (source).

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Abbeyfield School handles cases of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) individually, following guidance from Wiltshire Council. We have staff members trained in EBSA, and an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) dedicated to supporting students in returning to school. (See EBSA Guidance for parents & Carers) (See EBSA Guidance for Young People)

Early identification and intervention, in partnership with parents/carers, external agencies, and the student, allow for a flexible, tailored approach that facilitates reintegration, including necessary adjustments

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