Attendance

Iveshead School is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all its students and recognises this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent attendance for all (a minimum of 96%). This is based on the belief that only by attending school regularly and punctually will children and young people be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. High attainment depends on good attendance.

Absence procedures:

If a child is absent it is the parent’s responsibility to:

• Telephone the school on each day of absence before 08:30am (01509 602156).
• Provide medical evidence (e.g. Doctor’s appointment card or prescribed medication) for absences due to illness.

If parents do not contact Iveshead School the Phase Manager will contact you to ascertain the reason for absence. If no reason for absence is received we will record the absence as unauthorised ‘O’.

Authorised absence:

This includes serious illness and urgent medical / dental treatment. The School may authorise an absence for illness if we have received an explanation from a parent / carer. Letters regarding absence, and where applicable appointment cards, should be given to the Phase Manager. Attempts should be made for most routine dental or GP appointments to be made outside of school hours. Parents are encouraged to inform the school prior to these appointments, preferably in writing.

Other authorised circumstances:

Iveshead School has discretion over whether to authorise absences for other circumstances and will consider the following factors:

• The nature of the event
• The frequency of the requests / absence required
• Whether advance notice was given
• The overall attendance of the student
• Any other extenuating circumstances

Family holidays:

Government guidelines which came into effect on 1st September 2013 prevent Headteachers from granting any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. A family holiday during term time does not fall under the category ‘exceptional circumstances’. The School can request Penalty Notices be issued from the Pupil Services Court Team at Leicestershire County Council. A Penalty Notice is £60 per parent, per child to be paid within 21 days. Failure to pay the fine(s) within this timescale would mean the fine rising to £120 to be paid within 28 days of the original fine being issued. If the fine(s) remain unpaid after the full period of 28 days has expired parents may face legal action under Section 44.

Iveshead School works closely with our Education Welfare Officer, Liz Flynn (Leicestershire Attendance Service).

Further information regarding our attendance procedures can be viewed here.