Attendance
Absence
At Tettenhall Wood School we believe that it is important that all pupils attend school as much as they possibly can.
Being absent from school means that pupils cannot learn and they make less progress. Being at school is the most effective way for a school to safeguard their pupils. Persistent absence therefore leads to poor progress and attainment.
Tettenhall Wood School have implemented a robust system to monitor the attendance of all pupils.
- The attendance of all pupils is monitored on a daily basis and a reason for any absence is recorded.
- Where a reason for any absence has not been given the school have a system in place to address this.
- The attendance of all pupils is tracked on a weekly basis.
- As a result of the tracking School identifies pupils who have an attendance below 95% or who have a pattern of attendance that is a cause for concern.
- The attendance of this group of pupils is then RAG rated.
- The school identifies actions to address the absence and increase the attendance.
- The impact of the actions that have been implemented are monitored weekly.
School truly believes that working closely with parents/carers has a positive impact on attendance.
What do I do if my child is not able to attend school?
- Notify the school by telephone on Day 1 as soon as possible, but no later than 10.00 a.m. by calling the main office on 01902 556519 and keep the school office updated on Day 3 and Day 5 if the absence continues. Please do not send a message about your child’s absence through the transport service or Class Dojo to their teacher.
- Give a reason for the absence
- Give the expected return date if possible
- Provide evidence of medical appointments such as a hospital or dentist appointment letter/card
What do I do if my child is going to be late for school?
- If you know your child is going to be late because of an appointment for instance, please notify the school by telephone as soon as possible, but no later than 10.00 a.m. by calling the main office on 01902 556519
- If you bring your child into school, please report to the main office so that they receive a mark in the register and a lunch can be ordered if required
What do I do if I need to request a ‘Leave of Absence’ for my child?
The school will only authorise term time absences in exceptional circumstances where the benefits of the leave of absence to the child’s emotional, educational, cultural and/or spiritual development outweigh the loss of learning. Any application for a Leave of Absence must be made in writing.
- Please request a Leave of Absence application form from the main office
- When completed return the form to the Headteacher 4 weeks in advance of the proposed start date of the absence
- You will then promptly be notified of the school’s decision as to whether the absence will be authorised
Department for Education Update for Unauthorised Absences
Department for Education update regarding unauthorised absences during term time. These changes came into effect from 19 August 2024. Tettenhall Wood School will be following these new changes.
Key Changes to Note:
New Penalty Rates:
From 19 August 2024, penalty notices for unauthorised absences will be charged at £160 per parent per child. If paid within 21 days, the amount will be reduced to £80
- Second Offence Penalty:
If a second penalty notice is issued for the same child within a 3-year period, the charge will be £160, with no discount, to be paid within 28 days.
- Threshold for Penalty Notices:
A penalty notice will be considered if there are 10 sessions (equivalent to 5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10-school week period. This includes late arrivals after the register closes. The 10 school weeks may span different terms or school years.
- Limit on Penalty Notices:
A maximum of 2 penalty notices can be issued to a parent for the same child within a 3-year period. Any further offences may lead to prosecution or other legal interventions.
Examples for Clarity:
- Absences Before 19 August 2024: If an unauthorised absence occurs before 19 August 2024, the penalty notice will follow the existing rules and rates (£60/£120). These absences will not count towards the new escalation rules. For instance, a parent taking a child out of school for 10 sessions in July 2024 will receive a penalty notice under the old rules, even if the notice is issued in September.
- Absences After 19 August 2024: For unauthorised absences occurring after 19 August 2024, the new rules and rates (£80/£160) will apply. These will count towards the new escalation rules. For example, a parent taking a child out of school for 5 days in September 2024 will be subject to the new regulations. escalation rules. For instance, a parent taking a child out of school for 10 sessions in July 2024 will receive a penalty notice under the old rules, even if the notice is issued in September.
If you require any further information please contact Ross Ashcroft, Headteacher and continue to complete a Holiday Form or Leave of Absence Form when requesting a leave of absence during term time.
Attendance Matters: 📚
Regular school attendance is crucial for your child’s achievement, wellbeing, and overall development.
Let’s keep those attendance records strong!