Improving Attendance at Filton Avenue Together on a Journey Towards Success What does good attendance mean? Improving Attendance at Filton Avenue

Do you know what your child's attendance is? Do you know what it means? Do you know how it can affect their potential academic outcomes?

This is Simon. He is in Year 4 and has 90% attendance. Is that good? What does this mean?

90% attendance = ½ day missed every week!! 90 % attendance, is it good? 90% attendance = ½ day missed every week!! Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri ? Absent half a day every week

1 school year at 90% attendance = 4 whole weeks of lessons missed!!! Every day matters 1 school year at 90% attendance = 4 whole weeks of lessons missed!!! Sept July ? 38 school weeks Absent for 4 weeks 90% attendance over 5 years of primary school = ½ a school year missed

The greater the attendance the greater the achievement. What impact might this have on Simon’s life? Research suggests that 17 missed school days a year = a significant risk of underperforming at school The greater the attendance the greater the achievement.

Attendance at Filton Avenue Primary School

I So 90% is not as good as it first seemed. What can do as a parent to Attendance So 90% is not as good as it first seemed. What can do as a parent to increase my child's attendance? I

Find out regularly your child's absence. Ways for parents to encourage excellent attendance It is parental/carer responsibility to ensure their child is at school on time every day. Find out regularly your child's absence. Talk regularly with your child about school and how they feel about it. They’re more likely to attend if they feel supported and anxieties listened to. Be positive! Be on time.

Only grant days at home for genuine illness. Ways for parents to encourage excellent attendance Phone us as soon as possible to tell us why your child is absent, and when you expect them to return. Know the school routine for alerting us to absence. Only grant days at home for genuine illness. Avoid taking holidays in school time. Know routines of the school day to avoid issues, e.g. have they got their PE kit?

Attend and Achieve! If a school can improve attendance by 1%, they will see a 5-6% improvement in attainment. (Department for Education and Skills) Please help us and your child by ensuring their attendance remains above 97%, allowing them to achieve their potential.

Termly certificates for pupils in the Green Band Rewards Stickers Termly certificates for pupils in the Green Band Praise in assemblies and on display Class with the highest attendance has extra weekly playtime End of term book raffles Explain some of these rewards haven’t started yet. Ask parents if there are rewards they feel would work in getting their children into school

Procedures Requesting absence Illness Attendance follow up Letter 1 – Letter highlighting attendance Letter 2 – Meeting with an Assistant Head Teacher Letter 3 – Meeting with Head of School Letter 4 – Penalty Notice Letter 5 – (potential) Court Order Must be requested 3 weeks before Each absence will be considered on an individual basis Absence will not be authorised for just a holiday Discuss how parent/carers can support us with illness (if the child has temperature/thrown up) don’t send them in other wise to encourage children to come in. After 5 sessions unwell school may ask for a doctor’s note

Attendance Every Lesson Counts….