Attendance information

It is essential that children and young people form good habits of regular attendance at school from an early age and that good attendance is maintained throughout their school career. Upton Junior School and the Lytchett School Pyramid are committed to working together to ensure that there is a consistent approach to school attendance. It is a legal requirement that all children should attend their educational provision and it is the parents/carers responsibility to ensure that their children attend school.

Upton Junior School and the Lytchett School Pyramid strive to ensure every learner has the opportunity to thrive and achieve, and recognises that good attendance is central to this. All schools are working hard to promote good attendance and have common systems in place to work with families when attendance drops below an acceptable level.

What to do if your child is unwell

We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our children and therefore it is important that we know why a child is not in school. If your child is unable to attend school for any reason, please contact the school office by 9.00am. by phone, Parentmail app or email: office@uptonjun.dorset.sch.uk  You are encouraged to provide as much information as possible, the name of your child, the reason your child is not in school and the expected date of return. Failure to inform us of your child's absence will trigger our targeted “First Day Call” system, which means you will be contacted to ask why your child is not in school.

Approach across the Pyramid

Upton Junior School and the Lytchett School Pyramid have agreed the following:

• It is important that pupils are at school on time. Lateness is monitored by the school and contributes to absence rates.

• Upton Junior School and the Lytchett School Pyramid will monitor attendance of our pupils and work closely with Dorset County Council’s School Attendance Service to support children and young people whose attendance levels are causing concern.

• Whilst we understand that children do become ill on occasions, children who lose a lot of time out of school can suffer in the long term with significant gaps in their learning. If a child’s health continues to affect their education, schools are obliged to make a referral to School Health to ensure that appropriate medical advice and support is provided.

• If a child is ill it is the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure that they inform the school.

• No leave of absence will be granted during term time, except in exceptional circumstances. Therefore if you wish to take your child out of school for any leave of absence this must be discussed with Mr Gould prior to the request being made. Any other absence will be recorded as ‘Unauthorised’ and could result in legal action.

Punctuality:

Children are requested to arrive at school no earlier than 8:40am, when the children will be invited to enter the school by a member of staff. Before 8.40am, the school is not responsible for the safety of the children on the school premises, unless they are attending a pre-arranged club.

Registration takes place at 8.55 and closes at 9.00am, after which time children will be marked as late. If your child is continually late, you will be invited to attend an 'Attendance Panel Meeting’ to discuss any support you may require in getting your child to school on time.

Medical and dental appointments

Pupils who have medical or dental appointments during school time are not permitted to leave unaccompanied; in every case a responsible person known to the school must collect them. Please inform the office beforehand if possible of all medical appointments. Evidence of the appointment may be asked for. Only emergency appointments should be attended during the school day. Siblings must not be withdrawn from school to accompany their brothers/sisters to medical appointments if at all possible. Please try to make alternative arrangements to ensure that they are brought to, or collected from school as normal.

Improving chance of success in future careers

You will be aware of the importance of good school attendance in improving a young person’s chance of success in life and establishing positive attitudes to life-long learning. There is clear evidence of the link between poor attendance at school and low levels of achievement. Of pupils who have less than 90% attendance, only 35% achieve five or more GCSEs at A * to C including Maths and English, but 73% of pupils who have attendance of 95% or more will achieve this.

If a child has an attendance level of 90% they will have missed one day a fortnight in school. Over a school year this will represent four weeks of absence. If this level of absence were maintained for a five year period it would mean half a school year would have been missed.

Our refreshed approach at Upton Junior School- ‘Clocking in’

When pupils arrive at Upton Junior School each morning they will ‘clock in’ to show  that they are present and ready to do their best in their work for the day. At the end of each half term, pupils that have achieved 100% attendance will receive acknowledgement of their efforts by way of presentation of a 100% attendance certificate in whole school assembly. Once they are nearing the end of the summer term, and have subsequently retained 100% attendance for each half term, they will be entered into our ‘prize draw’ with a chance of having a celebratory lunch with Mr Gould!  

Attendance Trophies

In addition to certificates and the chance of lunch with the Headteacher, pupils will also be in with a chance of being awarded the attendance trophy for their year team with the highest attendance!