ATTENDANCE ETHOS

At Porter Croft we understand that excellent attendance helps to improve outcomes for a child. Every school day is an exciting opportunity to broaden your horizons and learn something new. Coming to school every day gives you the best possible start in life and the chance to achieve your aspirations. We promote and value creating a whole school attendance culture which is supportive, calm and productive so that children can attend, learn and thrive as lifelong learners.

Please click here to read our school attendance policy:

WHY IS ATTENDANCE IMPORTANT?


Every child has a right to education and every school has a responsibility to support and encourage school attendance for pupils on their roll. Excellent attendance at school helps a child to meet their full potential.

Below are just some of the reasons why it is so important for children to attend school:

  • To learn,
  • To have fun,
  • To make new friends and learn social skills,
  • To experience new things in life,
  • To develop skills – problem solving, time keeping,
  • To build confidence and self-esteem,
  • To get into daily routines that set a pattern for life,
  • To receive support from school.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE – DFE- “WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE ATTENDANCE GUIDANCE 2022

School attendance is central to raising standards in education and ensuring all pupils can fulfil their potential. Pupils need to attend school regularly to benefit from their education. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind.

Children with poor attendance tend to achieve less in both primary and secondary school.

The government expects:
  • schools and local authorities to:
  • promote good attendance and reduce absence, including persistent absence
  • ensure every pupil has access to full-time education to which they are entitled
  • act early to address patterns of absence
  • parents to perform their legal duty by ensuring their children of compulsory school age who are registered at school attend regularly
  • all pupils to be punctual to their lessons

    • HOW WE PROMOTE ATTENDANCE

    Success in improved attendance and punctuality will be talked about in classes and across school. We celebrate achievements in attendance in our weekly Friday assembly with parents.

    THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT

    Porter Croft is required by law, to record the attendance of every child on roll and to show who is absent or late. Figures for attendance and for authorised absence and unauthorised absence are monitored by Sheffield City Council. The council works closely with school and advises on next steps where attendance issues are ongoing.

    PARENTAL ROLE IN ATTENDANCE

    Parents play a vital role in their child’s attendance at school. Where parents decide to have their child registered at school, they have a legal responsibility to ensure that their child attends school regularly. This means their child must attend school every day that the school is open except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill or being given permission for an absence in advance from the school.

    Parents have a responsibility to:

    • Encourage and promote the school value of attendance.
    • To inform school of the reasons in the case of an absence using the method explained below.
    • Parents will need to report:
    • Why – the reason for the absence.
    • What – If illness what illness and what help/advice is being sought. If your child is experiencing mild symptoms of illness, then we will always look after them in school, we can offer them paracetamol (if needed) with parental consent if this will help to maintain their attendance.
    • When – When the child will return to school.
    • You will be asked these questions by a member of the office team.  

    Please click on this link for advice for parents on improving attendance for your child

    NHS Guide - Is my child too ill for school

    HOW YOU CAN HELP AND SUPPORT AT HOME

  • Establishing a good routine. This can involve preparing for the next day at school the night before, and in the morning getting your child ready for the school day ahead.
  • Ensure your child arrives at school on time.
  • Arrange dental and medical appointments outside school hours when possible.
  • Take family holidays or extended leave during the school holidays

    • SUPPORT FOR ISSUES WITH PUNCTUALITY

    Porter Croft runs a Breakfast club and attending this club can help if your child is struggling with a morning routine. We offer a breakfast and play activities. Please contact the office if you would like to book a place or discuss punctuality further.

    Penalty Notice Fines

    With the introduction of the new National Framework for Penalty Notices, the changes will come into force for Penalty Notices issued after 19th August 2024

    Fines for term time leave will now be issued to each parent, for each child that was absent.

    Further information can be downloaded here