Attendance Policy

Introduction

This policy document was drawn up by Board of Management, in consultation with staff and parents/guardians to ensure and maintain a high level of attendance at school by all pupils.

Rationale:

The policy was drafted for the following reasons:

• The Board of Management wishes to comply with legislation, such as:

  • The Education Act, 1998

  • The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000

• The Board of Management wishes to promote and encourage regular attendance as an essential factor in our pupils’ learning.

Relationship to Characteristic Spirit of the School:

This policy complements the school ethos of nurturing potential in a caring environment where the welfare of children is paramount.

Aims:

§         To raise awareness of the importance of regular school attendance

• To identify pupils at risk of leaving school early

• To promote and to foster positive attitudes to learning

• To ensure compliance with the requirements of the relevant legislation.

Guidelines and Procedures:

1.       Record – Keeping

·                     Attendance records are kept through roll-book

·                     Teachers are responsible for recording absences and retaining notes to inform Principal re: frequent absentees.

·                     Teachers note the reason for the students absence, especially those that are at risk of developing school attendance problems

·                     Parents to be contacted by Principal through note/phone if absences are persistent/unexplained

·                     Homework journals or other written note should be used to correspond with parents/teachers

·                     Parents are informed immediately (by the principal or deputy principal), if for some reason a child “leaves” the school during school hours.   Circumstances surrounding the “departure” to be documented by teacher/Principal.

2.       Encouraging Attendance:

Individual teachers encourage good attendance.

3.       School Hours:

School opening hours are 9:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

School calendar is communicated to parents at the beginning of each school year

4.       Punctuality:

Children are encouraged to be punctual and requested to explain the reasons if or when they are not punctual. If there is consistent unpunctuality parents/guardians are contacted by the Principal or Deputy Principal.

• 1. School Strategies to promote attendance

Encouraging Attendance:

Individual teachers encourage good attendance

Early Intervention:

Parents are informed about attendance policy at the annual meeting held for Junior Infant parents and are encouraged to ensure their children are attending school as much as possible and also that the children are punctual.

Parents are informed of the bye law in the Welfare Act regarding pupils who are absent for 20 days or more and also of school procedures where there is a concern regarding their attendance and if the child has missed a large number of days.

Environment:

As a school we strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for our pupils and parents.  Open communication between home and school is encouraged and facilitated at all times.

With a view to encouraging the child to attend school it is acknowledged that, if a child is frequently late for school or a frequent absentee, that the child should not be admonished but rather that contact be made with the parents/guardians.

A similar view is held regarding situations where homework is incomplete

Childrens’ Learning Needs:

If children at risk have learning needs it is ensured that they have access to the curriculum at a level to which they can relate. Through our Special Education Team support is provided to children and parents when necessary.

6: School Strategies regarding non attendance

Traditionally, school attendance is strong in our school and has not been adversely affected by social changes.  However, staff remain vigilant so that risk students are identified early.  Risk students can be categorised as those who miss more than 5 days in a 20 day period without an accompanying note of explanation from parents/guardians. 

Principal is informed by teachers re: non-attendees or frequent absentees.

Parents to be questioned / consulted re: absences in particular as follows:

·                     Seriously Irregular Absentee: 6/10 days absent in a 20-day period without a valid reason

·                     Chronic Absentee: 11+ days absent in a 20-day period without a valid reason

·                     The Principal will consult with parents and/or relevant agencies as appropriate. Initially phone contact will be made to be followed by a meeting if deemed necessary.

·                     Where a pattern, or significant number of absences, exits, the principal contacts the family and/or the Education Welfare Officer.

·                     Absences of more than 20 days are automatically referred to the Education Welfare Officer

·                     Attendance, behaviour and academic records of children who transfer to Scoil Bhríde will be sought directly from the previous school.

·                     Attendance, behaviour and Academic records of pupils transferring to other primary schools and to secondary schools will be sent to the school once enrolment has been confirmed.

·                     Principal ensures that the annual attendance is return is made to the NEWB annually and an overall report is presented to the Board of Management each September for the previous school year.

Success Criteria:

·                     Good attendance means that aims that have been outlined are achieved

·                     Teachers will notice more continuity within school curriculum

·                     Effective policy making and implementation highlighted by improved overall school attendance

·                     Assessment of success through staff feedback

Roles and Responsibility:

Principal & Teachers work with parents and pupils to encourage good attendance. 

Teachers liase with Principal to highlight children who may be at risk.

Principal works with NEWB, through the local Education Welfare Officer, with regard to children at risk.

Parents should ensure that their children attend school regularly and communicate with the school when children are absent.

Ratification and Communication:

The policy was ratified by the Board of Management