Attendance Policy Changes
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am writing to inform you about some recent changes to our school’s attendance policy. At Foxton, we believe that regular and consistent attendance is vital to your child’s academic success and well-being, and these updates reflect our ongoing commitment to improving attendance and punctuality across the school.
Key Changes in the Policy:
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Increased Attendance Expectations: While we previously set a target of 95% attendance, we now expect all pupils to aim for 97% or higher. Attendance rates below 90% will be considered persistent absenteeism and will trigger additional support or intervention.
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Tightened Regulations on Unauthorised Absences: Any unauthorised leave, including family holidays during term-time, will result in stricter consequences. From August 2024, unauthorised absences of five days within a 10-week period will result in a penalty notice, and the fine has increased to £160 per parent, per child. Repeat offences could lead to further legal action.
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Enhanced Support and Monitoring for Persistent Absence: We now take a more proactive approach to supporting families where attendance is a concern. If a child’s attendance falls below 90%, families will be contacted, and an action plan may be developed to address barriers to regular attendance. In cases where persistent absence continues, further involvement from the local authority may follow.
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Lateness Procedures: Arriving late to school after the registers have closed will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, and we will be closely monitoring patterns of lateness. Persistent lateness will result in action from the Attendance Officer.
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Incentives for Good Attendance: We are introducing new rewards for pupils with excellent attendance, including certificates for 100% attendance and class prizes for those with the highest attendance each term. We aim to motivate students to attend regularly through positive reinforcement.
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Medical Appointments and Absence Evidence: We request that all medical and dental appointments be scheduled outside school hours where possible. If your child has a diagnosed medical condition affecting their attendance, please ensure the school is kept updated with the relevant evidence.
We encourage you to familiarise yourself with the full policy and work with us to ensure that your child benefits from regular and punctual attendance. If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance or need support, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes,
Mr Norman