Introduction From New Welfare Lead - Kathleen Bentley
Dear Parents/Carers
I am writing to introduce myself to you as the new Welfare Lead for Meadow High School.
I have vast medical and attendance experience and my priority is ensuring your children receive the best education available to them.
I will be here to support you with any attendance or medical issues that may arise.
ATTENDANCE
Parents/Carers have a legal duty to ensure their children go to school regularly and on time. Failure to do this may result in prosecution in the magistrates’ court and can lead to fines of up to £2,500 or three months’ imprisonment, a parenting order from the courts, a penalty notice or a community order. In some cases, youth courts can pass educational supervision orders onto pupils.
As you will no doubt be aware there is a very clear link between how well children do at school and how often they attend. At Meadow High School we are committed to ensuring that every child achieves their full potential. The minimum attendance Meadow High school expect is 97%.
ALL absences from school MUST be reported to attendance@meadowhighschool.org or
A phone call to the school - option 1 and a message left as to why your child is absent
Contact MUST be made with the school EVERYDAY your child is absent from school
We will be initiating three stages of attendance monitoring:
Stage 1 – A letter of concern will be sent to parent’s whose childs attendance is under 97%.
If no significant improvement, it moves to -
Stage 2 – Attendance of under 95%. Internal monitoring will commence. Parents will be invited in for a meeting to discuss the matter further.
If no significant improvement, monitoring then moves to -
Stage 3 – Attendance under 90%. Referral to the Local Authority Participation Team will be made. This leads to a panel meeting with the Local Authority and a possible fine.
Anytime a child has time off school for a medical appointment, evidence in the form of an appointment card or message from the NHS will be required.
Please see below files from the local authority that may answer any questions you may have.
Attendance at School
https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/media/6655/Attendance-at-school-factfile/pdf/Schools_information_-attendance_at_school_Factfile_40_Online_2.pdf?m=1626172538987
Exceptional Leave
https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/media/6658/Exceptional-leave-factfile/pdf/Schools_information_-exceptional_leave_Factfile_44_3.pdf?m=1626172977393
Penalty Notice Information
https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/media/6657/Penalty-notices-for-non-school-attendancefactfile/pdf/12357_Schools_information_-_penalty_notices_for_non-attendance_at_school_factfile45_1_1.pdf?m=1626172921913
Attendance panel Factsheet
https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/media/6656/Attendance-panel-factfile/pdf/Schools_information_-attendance_panels_Factfile_46_Online_3.pdf?m=1626172849930
MEDICAL
At Meadow High School, we are committed to ensuring your child is able to learn in a safe environment.
We are committed to supporting you with your childs health and have good relationships with outside agencies, so we can support your child whilst at school.
Shortly we will be sending out a Medical Audit Form. We would appreciate receiving a response even if your child does not have any medical needs. Please state all medical needs, medications taken and any medical care plans you think we may not have.
I offer an open door policy and am happy to meet with parents/carers in person should you wish to discuss any welfare matters.
Kathleen Bentley
Welfare Lead
