Shiney Row Primary School

Our Aim

Our aim is to ensure your child receives an outstanding full-time education that enables them to reach their full potential. We are committed to providing a positive, caring environment where every member of our school community feels welcome, safe, and secure.

To support this, it is essential that pupils attend school regularly and arrive punctually. We work closely with pupils, parents/carers, and external agencies to promote strong attendance and remove any barriers to learning.

Reporting an Absence

If your child is unable to attend school, parents/carers should:

• ·         Contact the school or send a message via Class Charts before 9:00am on the day of absence.
• ·         Update the school on each subsequent day of absence.
• ·         Inform us of the expected date of return.

Where possible, medical and other appointments should be arranged outside of the school day.

First Day Calling Procedures

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all pupils, we operate a robust first day calling system:

• ·         Registers close at 9:05am at the latest.
• ·         Pupils arriving between 9:05am and 9:30am will be recorded as late (Code L).
• ·         Pupils arriving after 9:30am will be marked as absent (Code U – arrival after registration has closed).
• ·         From 9:05am, office staff begin contacting families of pupils where no reason for absence has been provided.
• ·         If no contact has been made by 11:30am, a member of the Senior Leadership Team or Attendance 100 may carry out a home visit.

How We Support Attendance

We are committed to supporting families in maintaining excellent attendance by:

• ·         Contacting parents/carers if we have not been informed of an absence by 9:30am on the first day.
• ·         Carrying out home visits where a reason for absence has not been established.
• ·         Providing support, guidance, and encouragement to families who may find it difficult to maintain good attendance.
• ·         Working alongside external agencies where appropriate.
• ·         Celebrating and rewarding excellent and improved attendance and punctuality regularly.

Reporting to Parents/Carers

We believe it is important that parents/carers are kept fully informed about their child’s attendance:

• ·         Attendance information is shared regularly.
• ·         Each half term, parents/carers receive a printed attendance report.

Attendance Concerns

Where attendance falls below 95%, or is causing concern, parents/carers will be offered support from Attendance 100 and the school’s Early Help Worker.

The school will refer cases of persistent absence to the Local Authority in line with Working Together to Improve Attendance guidance.

Promoting Good Attendance

We actively encourage and celebrate good attendance through:

• ·         100% attendance rewards each half term
• ·         A range of attendance incentives
• ·         Regular updates on whole school attendance
• ·         Weekly attendance tracking, shared with classes
• ·         Rewards for improved attendance
• ·         Class attendance trophy
• ·         Regular positive attendance messages
• ·         Clear expectations shared with families

Lateness

Punctuality is an essential part of the school day. Arriving late can disrupt learning for all children:

• ·         Arrival between 9:05am and 9:30am → Late (Code L)
• ·         Arrival after 9:30am → Unauthorised absence (Code U)

Holidays During Term Time

In line with government regulations:

• ·         The school cannot authorise holidays during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• ·         Any unauthorised absence, including holidays, will be recorded accordingly.

The school will refer cases of unauthorised absence to the Local Authority in line with national guidance.

Where a pupil has 10 sessions (usually 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a 10 school-week period, the Local Authority will consider issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

This means that unauthorised term-time holidays of 5 days or more are likely to be referred and may result in a penalty notice being issued.

When to Keep Your Child Off School

We understand that it can sometimes be difficult to know whether your child is too unwell to attend school. The Public Health Agency provides clear, trusted guidance for parents and carers on common illnesses and whether children should stay at home or can safely attend school. This information can help you make informed decisions while supporting both your child’s wellbeing and their attendance.

For more information on the Fixed Penalty Notice For Irregular Attendance click here.