The Traffic Light System We decided to introduce a system, based on the previous table, which would be easy for students, parents and staff to identify with. Just as we expect our students to know what grade or level they are at in a subject they would now know where they were with their attendance So the TFL System was introduced - via student assemblies, displays on notice boards and to parents through the Attendance newsletter. It was implemented in Sept 10 1

What is your % attendance? We asked our students ‘What is your attendance’? Do you know in % terms – highly unlikely Do you think it’s good, ok or poor – only those who had no time off knew it was good, the remainder guessed it was good but didn’t have a clue We asked our students what their attendance target was – again some guessed We realised in order to raise the profile of attendance we had to enable students to take ownership of their attendance So we started by showing them something they could relate to And what does it mean? 2 2

190 175 DAYS HOLIDAY A YEAR!!! Great Worrying Serious Concern 100% 95% .....For family time, friends, visits, holidays, shopping, appointments....which leaves… 190 School days in each year 10 days absence 19 days absence 29 days absence 38 days absence 47 days absence 180 days of Education 171 161 152 143 100% 95% 90% 85% 80% 75% Great Best chance of success Gets your child off to a flying start Worrying Less chance of success Makes it harder for your child to make progress Serious Concern Not fair on your child. This slide explains why If you attend school for between 180-190 days you will have the best chance of achieving your full potential. As your attendance falls so your chance of success falls So, you need to be in school to succeed (– let’s be fair here, you do get 175 days holiday a year! ) 3

Persistent Lateness You may have excellent attendance however it can also affect your education if you are regularly late for school If you are 10 minutes late for school twice a week this means You are missing the equivalent of one letters and sounds lesson each week Over a school year you are missing the equivalent of 2 days of school Throughout your time at North Walsall Primary Academy you will miss the equivalent of nearly 3 weeks of school. Try setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier in the morning

190 days in school & 175 days holidays Expectations A year is 365 DAYS made up of... 190 days in school & 175 days holidays In an ideal world we would like to see … you all in school for 190 days you arriving promptly for registration no later than 8:50am realistically we expect you to be in school on time for at least 180 days Why is this? What were our expectations – read through slide 5

What’s our sign telling you? 95% to 100% 85% to 95% It’s based on a set of traffic lights – 95-100% means a green light 85-95% is amber 85% or below is red The students are familiar with the TFL system as posters are displayed in every tutor room, on TV screens and in Keystage areas. Let’s talk through these colours in more detail 85% and below 6

This is where you need to be! but nothing to worry about.... ON TARGET! Green - 95% and over SIGN = WELL DONE Good attendance and punctuality- on target. Read through slide (Students who are ‘green’ receive house points each week and are eligible for the half termly prize draws and termly reward trips) This is where you need to be! They may have had the odd illness but nothing to worry about.... we all have them now and again. 7 7

UNDER TARGET Amber 85 - 95% SIGN = CAUTION Attendance needs to improve There may be issues:- You may have had a prolonged illness, which is authorised and you are now back on track. There may be something going on which may affect your attendance. This is a SIGN.....think about what's going wrong and contact the school. Your LEARNING is being affected and you will need to catch up. So, ask your parents to speak to your teacher Talk through slide (Students and parents are made aware there will be consequences for unexplained or unauthorised absence) 8 8

Help needed to get back on track? RED 85% and below SIGN = WARNING! Help needed to get back on track? Urgent changes needed By this stage we will be aware of any issues and have been in contact with you. It is likely that the Education Welfare Service will work closely with the school to help resolve any issues Talk through slide That was the theory but how did we implement it and get students to take ownership of their attendance? 9 9

Students with 90% attendance Absent half a day every week This means that they are absent from lessons for the equivalent of one half day every week. Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Talk through it....that’s so not good......” bit of a shock when you see it like that? If your miss a morning that’s 3 lessons – 3 lessons to catch up on AM PM ? Absent half a day every week 10

? four whole weeks Sept July Absent for 4 weeks! 90% attendance means that a student has missed the equivalent of four whole weeks of lessons in the school year. 38 school weeks Sept July Whaattt????? A month out of the year???? ? Absent for 4 weeks! 11

Three quarters of a year If a student has 90% attendance continually throughout their time at school, over 7 years they will miss the equivalent of about three quarters of a school year July Sept My Goodness..............I rest my case Three quarters of a year absent from school EY Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 12