Attendance

Class teachers are the main point of contact for families

This includes taking the lead in supporting young people and their families around minimising any school absence.

First day of absence
When a student is off school and parents call, they will be put through to the classroom to speak to the class teacher. If the teacher is not able to take the call, then the office will take a message and get the class teacher to call back when convenient.

Whoever takes the call will notify the school nurse that the pupil is absent. The class teacher will pass on medical information about the absence to the school nurse once they have spoken to the parent.

Routine monitoring
Each half term SSLT and OSLT will meet to review individual pupil attendance and agree any actions. This may include a home visit for pupils whose attendance falls below 85% depending on the circumstances. The Head of Key Stage will then share the outcomes with the Head Teacher and leadership team in the following leadership group meeting.
Our termly pupil progress meetings (led by the class teacher) will routinely review pupil attendance with families and healthcare professionals. Class teachers will get attendance information from the school office before each pupil progress meeting

Ongoing concerns
Where the class teacher feels there are ongoing concerns they should speak to the head of Key Stage and together agree the course of action. This may include the class teacher contacting the social worker or Education Welfare Officer.
If the class teacher does email social care, then Head of Key Stage and Village Lead will always be copied in.

  • Each term letters are sent home if attendance has fallen below the national average of 90%
  • Where children have extended or frequent periods of absence, meetings are arranged with parents and professionals to discuss how The Village School can support families to improve attendance
  • A small percentage of pupils have sensory and complex medical conditions which means that their attendance is low. In such circumstances school staff work closely with families to educate at home with the agreement that the students will come in when they are able
  • If a child has an unauthorised absence for three (3) days or more, it will be referred to the Education & Welfare officer to decide on any further action.