Attendance

Statement of Intent

At Christ the King Catholic Primary School we believe that in order to facilitate teaching and learning, good attendance is essential. Pupils cannot achieve their full potential if they do not regularly attend school.

We understand that barriers to attendance are complex, and that some pupils find it harder than others to attend school; therefore, we will continue to prioritise cultivating a safe and supportive environment at school, as well as strong and trusting relationships with pupils and parents.

We take a whole-school approach to securing good attendance, and recognise the impact that our efforts in other areas – such as the curriculum, behaviour standards, bullying, SEND support, pastoral support, and the effective use of resources such as pupil premium – can have on improving pupil attendance. Our aim is to intervene early by regularly monitoring and analysing our attendance data, communicate and build strong relationships with families and collaborate with other agencies to overcome barriers to ensure the health and safety of our pupils.

At Christ the King we take a team approach to attendance. The school’s SLT attendance team includes Deputy Head, Lindsay Barker, who can be contacted via lbarker@christtheking.wirral.sch.uk.  The school attendance officer is Julie Allanson who can be contacted via phone 0151 334 4345 or in person at the school office.

Attendance expectations

The school day starts at 8:50 am when registers are taken, and pupils will be in their classroom, ready to begin lessons at this time; therefore, pupils will be expected to be on the school site by 8:45am. (gates are open from 8:30-8:45). The afternoon register will be marked by 1:30pm. Pupils will receive a late mark if they are not in their classroom by this time.

If a child arrives at school after the gates have arrived, their adult should accompany them to the school office so that they can be signed in by the adult with a reason for being late.

Absence procedures

Parents will be required to contact the school office via telephone before 9:30am 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. Alternatively, email schooloffice@christtheking.wirral.sch.uk

Where a pupil is absent, and their parent has not contacted the school by 9:30am to report the absence, administrative staff will contact the parent via a Spider message or telephone call as soon as is practicable on the first day that they do not attend school.

The school will always follow up any absences in order to:

·Ascertain the reason for the absence.

·Ensure the proper safeguarding action is being taken.

·Identify whether the absence is authorised or not.