Whole school attendance and punctuality is a big priority for us in Bryn Awel. Our target is 92% and we’re all working so hard, as a community, to improve! It is essential to pupils making progress in their learning.  Attendance is so important for our children to be the best they can be and achieve their full potential in terms of well-being, friendships and of course with their learning.

We will do all we can, within the boundaries of the School/LA Policy, to support families in ensuring their child achieves excellent attendance. Please work with us to achieve this and come into school if you wish to discuss any concerns or ask any questions. The Head Teacher and Family Liaison Officer would be happy to discuss attendance.

Our Attendance Policy is available on the School Policies page on this website or from the school office.

Attendance Heroes

Each week the class with the best attendance receives a certificate and becomes our ‘Attendance Heroes’.

We have special awards and incentives  for our best attenders at the end of each half term.

School procedures

Parents are expected to inform the school before the start of the school day if their child is going to be absent and give a reason for that absence (01685 840230). If there is no known reason for the absence at registration, then the absence will be recorded in the first instance as unexplained and promptly followed up by the school, as part of its early intervention and safeguarding strategies.

Is my child ok to come to school today?

Making the decision as to whether my child ok to attend school today when they are feeling poorly can be a tricky decision. Use this link to help you to make an informed decision. Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk). You can also telephone the school office where we can advise on some illnesses.

Leave of absence/holidays in term time

Leave of absence during term time will be discouraged. Parents and carers do not have the automatic right to withdraw their children from school for an annual holiday and will be reminded of the effect that absence can have on a pupil’s potential achievement.

The school may consider any application for leave of absence and will only agree to authorise the absence in exceptional circumstances and where the child’s attendance is above 95%; parents and carers must apply in advance for permission for their child to have leave of absence. A holiday form is available online, please click the following link to complete the holiday form: https://forms.office.com/e/Ptgiwu6YAS 

Parents and carers are advised that a Fixed Penalty Notice (Fine) may be issued by the LA when permission for a holiday or leave of absence has not been authorised by the school and exceeds 10 sessions (5 days). The Local Authority's Local Code of Conduct has more information on this. Code-of-Conduct-FPN.aspx (caerphilly.gov.uk) 

Lateness

Morning registration will take place at the start of school at 9:00am. The registers will remain open for a maximum of 30 minutes, in accordance with WG guidance.  Any pupil arriving after this time will be marked as having an unauthorised absence, unless there is an acceptable explanation.

Parents and carers are reminded that The LA may issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (Fine) for persistent lateness.

Continuing and frequent absence

In cases where a pupil begins to develop a pattern of absences, the school will try to resolve the problem as soon as possible, before a referral is made to the Education Welfare Service (EWS). This may involve inviting the parents or carers and the pupil into school for a meeting.

For unauthorised absences of 10 sessions or more in a school term (5 days), the school can request the LA issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (Fine) in accordance with the Local Code of Conduct.

Persistent absence

Welsh Government defines persistent absence as pupils whose absence level is more than 20% (80% attendance). These pupils will be subject to an action plan to support their return to full attendance. The action plan will include engagement with relevant agencies that can support the pupil’s attendance.

Fixed Penalty Notices
Improving regular attendance at school is a key priority, both locally and nationally.

In 2014, The Welsh Government introduced important amendments to legislation surrounding school attendance. The Education Act 1996 makes it a criminal offence for a parent to “fail to secure their child’s regular attendance at the school”