ATTENDANCE

Good attendance is vital in ensuring success for your child at school. We want the best for Broadmeadow children and if they are in school, this goes some way to ensure that they enjoy and achieve and reach their potential during the school day. The table above gives some indication of the time lost by absence.

As a school we think attendance is so important that we acknowledge good attendance as an aspect of achievement. We reward those pupils having good attendance with certificates and a beanie bear for the term if children achieve 100% attendance; they then have the opportunity to be entered into the termly draw to win a £10 WH Smith voucher. At the end of each month children who have 100% attendance are entered into a draw to win a £25 build a bear voucher.

Punctuality is also very important, if children have a poor late record despite being in school 100%, they will not be entered into the draw. Regular lateness can affect your child’s overall attendance and will affect their understanding, performance and achievement in lessons, due to missing vital teaching.

If your child’s attendance or punctuality is poor you may be referred to our Education Social Worker. Once referred, the school must be given evidence of absences, for example Doctor’s appointment cards, copy of prescriptions, photocopies of medication or medical letters. Therefore it is good practice for you to provide evidence each time your child is absent. The school and Education Social Worker will support families to achieve better attendance and if required, we can offer further family support. Our Learning Mentors are also available if support or advice is needed.

In cases of persistent poor attendance you may receive a FAST TRACK referral which, in the most severe cases, may proceed to court action being taken; again support and guidance can be given by our Education Social Worker or Learning Mentors. Please be assured that if your child is referred to an outside agency or included in the FAST TRACK process, it is not due to the school doubting the reasons you have given for absence, it is because the school has a duty to ensure all children attend school regularly. Genuine illnesses, hospitalisations, medical appointments etc, affecting your child's attendance will not result in any court action if you have provided evidence.

We believe that working together is the best way to support your child and would encourage you to come and speak to us if you have a concern about attendance.

As a school we pride ourselves on our attendance and the incentives offered to our children. Our aim is to give our children a good start on the road to success and work with parents to achieve this.