Attendance and punctuality
Twickenham School is committed to working with families and other agencies to ensure that all students attend school regularly.Please read the full school policy on attendance which can be found below.
Aims and principles of good attendance
- All students have a minimum attendance target of 97%.
- The school is committed to maximising the achievement and attainment of all students.
- There is a clear link between good attendance and educational achievement.
- Regular and punctual attendance is vital if students are to benefit fully from the academic, personal and social opportunities that are offered to them within the school.
- Families play an important role in supporting the school and encouraging students to reach good attendance levels.
- A broad and balanced education is dependent on regular attendance at school.
- Appropriate action will be taken to promote and encourage good attendance.
Unauthorised attendance and Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN)
Twickenham School has changed its policy and will issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for unauthorised absences and term-time holidays. This is in response to government concerns around falling attendance in schools and the significant impact this could have on a child’s education. These changes to the policy will impact on parents who take children out of school for holidays in term-time, or other reasons that are not authorised by the school.
As a school, we have to refer families for a FPN if the child’s overall attendance is affected by the unauthorised absences taken. With the new policy, we have to refer when the child’s attendance is below 95.3% (national average) over the last 12 months, including the unauthorised period of time.
95.3% attendance means that a child cannot have missed more than 8 days within the last 12 months. This will mean that many of the families who request holidays in term-time could be in danger of being referred for a FPN. The FPN is £60.00 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days. It is important that parents have this information before making the decision to take their child out of school as there is now an increased chance of receiving a FPN.
Our Attendance Policy states that term-time holidays will not be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances, and no absences will be authorised in July, September and during national testing periods. Please bear this in mind if you are considering taking your child out of school.
Supporting attendance, achievement and progress
- On each day of absence, families must inform the School by 8.45am on 0208 8944503 or email us.
- Failure to do so will result in contact being made by the attendance team (first day of absence).
- Where attendance falls below target levels (97%) over a prolonged period of time, a letter of concern will be sent home.
- Continued concern will lead to further communications. These could include forming attendance action plans, attendance panel meetings and possible prosecution in more serious cases.
Absence during the school day / appointments
- Students should always attend school BEFORE the appointment to get their morning mark.
- They should always return AFTER the appointment via the attendance office, even if it is for the last half hour of school, to receive their mark and collect any missed work.
- Try to ensure that regular appointments e.g. orthodontist, are arranged during the school holidays and half-term holidays if possible, or after school.
- We do understand that some appointments cannot be changed, however please always QUESTION if there is an alternative or later appointment that day, e.g. after school.
- Talk to the school School Nurse (contact via Head of Year) or Attendance Officer (Mrs S Tapp) with regards to medical help offered in school. Always obtain proof of medical appointments e.g. appointment card, letter.
Punctuality
Arriving at school prepared for learning in correct uniform, with full equipment and a well-focused attitude for learning is of crucial importance. This is key to a positive start to the day’s learning. The school is open for students from 8.00am: all are expected to be in the building by 8.25am and in tutor time by 8.30am. Failure to do this will result in disruption to students’ own learning as well as the learning of others.
If a student is late, they will receive a 60-minute detention. This then escalates to 90 minutes on the second occurrence time. If the problem continues, the school will make contact with families to seek clarification and plan ways forward. This may include involving the Education Welfare Officer.
Illness and time off
For advice on your child’s illness and whether they require time off school, please see below:
| What is wrong with me? | How long do I need to be off school for? | Shall I go to the doctors? | Do I need to inform the school? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sickness and diarrhoea | 48 hours from last episode | If you have other medical issues | Yes - can be easily spread |
| Chicken pox | Until all spots/lesions have crusted over | Yes - doctor will need to provide confirmation of illness | Yes - can be harmful to pregnant women |
| Cold sore | None | Treatment available from pharmacy | No |
| German measles | Four days from onset of rash | Yes - doctor will need to provide confirmation of illness | Yes |
| Hand, foot and mouth | None | Not unless unwell with other symptoms | Yes |
| Impetigo | Until lesions have crusted or 48hrs after starting antibiotic treatment | Yes - seek pharmacy advice if unable to get hold of GP | Yes |
| Measles | Four days after rash | Yes confirm with doctor - preventable with MMR Jab | Yes |
| Ringworm | Not normally required - keep covered | Seek advice from pharmacy | No |
| Scabies | Child can return after first treatment | Yes | Yes |
| Scarlet fever | Child can return 24hrs after starting treatment | Yes | Yes - risk to pregnant women |
| Slapped cheek / parvovirus B19 | None once rash has developed, unless unwell with it | No unless other symptoms have developed | Yes - risk to pregnant women |
| Shingles | None if shingles can be covered but lesions must be crusted before returning to school on exposed skin | Advised to seek confirmation from doctor | Yes - risk to pregnant women |
| Flu (influenza) | Until recovered | If other medical conditions present and symptoms not improving within 5 days | No |
| Conjunctivitis | None | Treatment available from pharmacy | No |
| Glandular Fever | None | To be confirmed by blood test | No |
| Head Lice | None - treatment only recommended with live lice | Advise available through Pharmacy | Yes |
| Meningococcal meningitis / septicaemia | Until recovered | Yes urgent attention required | Yes - risk to vulnerable staff and children |
| Meningitis viral | Until recovered | Yes | Yes - risk to vulnerable staff and children |
| MRSA | None | Yes - will need treatment | No |
| Mumps | Exclude child for five days after onset of swelling | Yes - will need treatment | Yes - risk to vulnerable staff and children |
| Tonsillitis | None | Yes if bacterial, no if viral | No |
| Attendance and punctuality |
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| Attendance Policy January 2019.pdf |
