Attendance
Attendance is something that we hold in very high regard at Great Marsden St John's. Regular attendance allows for academic achievement, a continuity in learning, development of essential skills, social and emotional growth and much more. Our attendance team works hard to ensure that children are in school and obtain the best support with maintaining and improving their attendance. They work closely with Lancashire County Council and the local authorities Attendance Support Officer to ensure that the needs of all children are being targeted effectively.
Mrs Walsh and Mr Longley head the attendance team. If you have any queries relating to attendance, please contact the office and either Mr Longley or Mrs Walsh will be able to assist you.
Leave of Absence During Term Time
All parents must submit a request for leave of absence for children if time away from school has been planned. Authorisation will be determined based on whether the reason is considered to be an exceptional circumstance, as defined in the Attendance Policy, and authorisation will be granted by Mrs Underwood. If the leave of absence is not authorised, and the absence meets the threshold of 10 sessions in a 10 week rolling period, then if parents decide to go ahead with the leave during term time the school will be required to make a request to Lancashire County Council to issue a Penalty Notice.
Persistent and Severe Absence
Persistent absence is when a child has an attendance of 90% or below. In an academic year, this equates to 19 days of learning lost. Alternatively this also equates to half a day of learning lost every week.
Severe absence is when a child has an attendance of 50% or below. In an academic year, this equates to 95 days of learning lost. Alternatively this also equates to 2 and a half days of learning lost every week.
Traffic Light Letters
Each term your child will receive a letter regarding their attendance.
Green = 96+% attendance
Amber = 90 – 95.9% attendance
Red = 89.9% or less.
100% Attendance
If your child gets 100% attendance in a year, they will receive an award at the end of the year.
Well done to all those children who got 100% attendance last year – what a fantastic achievement!
Class Attendance Winners
Each week the class with the best attendance wins a £5.00 note. These are collected over the year and can then be spent on something for the children to take up with them to their next class!
Last year some of the classes bought pencil cases and books.
Some of the money also goes towards an end of year party!
If you are wondering how your class is doing, check the display in the corridor by the office.
The weekly winning class will be put on the newsletter.
Attendance Support
It is important your child is in school to continue with their learning whenever possible. If you feel your child would be able to remain in school with the administration of paracetamol, this is something we can provide with your permission. Simply complete a form at the office in order to authorise this. We will of course let you know if your child becomes too unwell to remain in school.
If your child is suffering from regular bouts of illness and you would like further support, please contact school.