Research has proven that pupils who attend school regularly are far more likely to maximise their educational potential. Additionally, the more time a child spends around other children, whether in a classroom or taking part in extracurricular activities, the more chance they have of making friends and feeling included, boosting social skills, confidence and self-esteem.
At Croesyceiliog, we strive for every pupil to be ambitious in every aspect of their lives. In order for this ambition to be realised, every pupil should aim for attendance of 95% or above.
Attendance
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Pupils are given their weekly and cumulative attendance data on a weekly basis by their form tutor. This is tracked in their planners.
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Pupils identify their attendance trend on a weekly basis during registration (Has my attendance improved this week?)
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Pupils between 80% and 95% are supported by Heads of Year, Wellbeing Achievement Officers and Leaders of Phase using the Attendance Circles Strategy which involves weekly meetings to support attendance.
80% - 85% (Head of Year)
85% - 90% (Wellbeing Achievement Officer)
95% and below and 3 Weeks of falling attendance (Leader of Phase)
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Pupils under 80% are supported by the Torfaen ‘Strive for 95’ process
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Pupils whose attendance does not improve could be supported by the Educational Welfare Officer.
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Discuss attendance with your child and use their planner to monitor their attendance by signing the tracker each week.
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Aim to book all medical appointments outside of school time whenever possible. Where this is not possible, ensure that your child still attends school on that day around the appointment.
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Contact school as soon as possible to report your child’s absence either using the School Comms or by calling the school.
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Approval of absence for family holidays is entirely at the discretion of the school. If a parent or carer needs to take a child out of school for a holiday then they must complete the Holiday Notification Form and submit this to the school no less than 4 weeks (not including school holidays) before the start date of the holiday. The school will consider each notification on its own merits and will consider several factors including but not limited to:
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the time of year of the proposed trip;
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length and purpose of the holiday;
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impact on continuity of learning;
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circumstances of the family;
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the overall attendance pattern of the child.
Term time holidays are not generally authorised as students’ absence in term time can seriously disrupt their continuity of learning. Not only do they miss the teaching provided on the days they are away, they are also less prepared for the lessons building on that after their return. There is a consequent risk of their underachievement. Unauthorised holiday absences may be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice issued by the local authority.
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In some circumstances following the Education (Penalty Notices) (Wales) Regulations 2013 and Welsh Assembly Government guidelines, it may be appropriate that Educational Welfare Service in consultation with the school to issue parents/carers with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). Circumstances when they could be used as follows:
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When a child has a minimum of ten unauthorised sessions recorded during the academic year (these do not need to be consecutive and please note that a school day is divided into two sessions, am and pm);
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In response to persistent late arrival at school i.e. after the registration period. Again this will be when there are at least ten recorded late marks during the academic year;
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For unauthorised holiday absence. Parents are advised that taking a family holiday during term time may result in an FPN payment;
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If a parent /carer does not attempt to engage with the school or Local Authority regarding their child’s absence;
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If a student regularly comes to the attention of the police during school hours without an acceptable reason, the police authority may request the Local Authority issue an FPN. Before a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued, parents will receive a written warning outlining the extent of their child’s absence and the possibility of them receiving a Penalty Notice if attendance isn’t improved.
FPNs for unauthorised holidays will not require a written warning.
Please find our FPN Information Letter 2024/25 here.
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