Attendance
At Broadoak School we are committed to improve attendance and punctuality as this will have an impact on your child’s attainment. Pupils should report to their form rooms at 8.37am for registration which starts at 8.40am. Pupils who are late to school will be automatically placed into detention that lunchtime. Pupils who are more than 5 minutes late to a lesson will also be detained after school on the same day. Pupils who arrive late on 4 or more occasions within a week will be placed into INTEX for a day.
A telephone or MCAS app message from home every day of a pupil’s absence is vital. Parents are required to contact the school office via telephone before 9:00am on the first day of their child’s absence – they will be expected to provide an explanation for the absence and an estimation of how long the absence will last, e.g., one school day.
Where a pupil is absent, and their parent has not contacted the school by 9.00am to report the absence, the attendance officer and other administrative staff will contact the parent via telephone call as soon as is practicable on the first day that the pupil does not attend school. The attendance officer and other administrative staff will endeavour to contact all parents by 10.00am on the first day that the pupil does not attend school.
We believe that any absence from school, for whatever reason, is detrimental to a child’s long term life opportunities, so should be avoided if at all possible. Regular and punctual attendance at school is both a legal requirement, and essential for pupils in order to maximise their educational opportunities. Sections 444A and 444B of the Education Act 1996 empowers Headteachers or their nominated deputies to issue Fixed Penalty Notices in cases of unauthorised absence from school, where a parent/carer is considered capable but unwilling to secure an improvement in their child’s attendance at school. If a child of compulsory school age fails to attend regularly at school his/her parent/carer is guilty of an offence under Section 444 Education Act 1996. If unauthorised absences continue after the period of notice, proceedings will be taken in accordance with Section 444(1) or (1A) Education Act 1996. A formal written warning of the possibility of a Penalty Notice will be issued to parent(s) and a period of 15 school days given to improve attendance. Where there is no improvement a Fixed Penalty can be issued. The amount of the penalty is £60 if paid with 21 days of receipt of the notice. This rises to £120 if paid after the 21 days but within 28 days. If the payment is not made the parent/carer(s) will be prosecuted for the original offence and could be subject to a range of fi nes or other disposals in the Magistrates’ court. Penalty Notices and other sanctions will be used only where parental cooperation in this process is either absent or deemed insuffi cient to resolve the problem. They will be used as a means to support parents/carers to meet their responsibilities in law, and where there is a reasonable expectation that their use will secure an improvement.
Broadoak School is considerate and mindful of the emotional wellbeing and social circumstances of every child who is looked after. Looked after children will be given individual consideration and consultation with other professionals to offer the most appropriate support with attendance will take place where necessary.
During the lunch break pupils must stay on the school premises unless they can be picked up by a parent or relative to ensure their supervision and safety. No other alternatives are available. Children who stay for a school meal are expected to remain on the premises under the supervision of school staff for the whole of the lunch break.
At the end of every half term the school will message via MCAS, parents of pupils who have attendance or punctuality concerns. Support will be offered with strategies provided to enable pupils to attend school more regularly. Pupils with outstanding levels of attendance and punctuality will be presented with badges and certificates. Congratulatory message will also be sent via the MCAS app. Pupils will also be given the opportunity to attend termly reward trips to celebrate their success.
Medical Appointments
Where possible, all appointments should be arranged out of school hours to ensure minimum disruption to learning.
When appointments have to be made in school hours, parents must inform our Attendance Officer in advance by telephoning 0161 776 1977 ext *5013 or via the MCAS app. Please note that on the day of the appointment, it is the child’s responsibility to ensure that they arrive at main reception on time.
If an emergency appointment is required and advance notice is not possible, please telephone school to advise that you are on your way to collect your child. Please let the receptionist know the name and year group of the pupil and the time of the emergency appointment.
Holidays During Term Time
Amendments have been made to the 2006 regulations in the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. From 1st September 2013 this prevents headteachers from authorising holidays/absence during term time. Leave of absence from school will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.