Dear Parents/Carers
ATTENDANCE
I would like to draw your attention once again to the attendance monitoring that is in place at Meadow High School
There will be 3 stages of attendance monitoring:
Stage 1 – A letter of concern will be sent to parents whose childs
attendance is under 97%. Internal monitoring will commence
If no significant improvement, it moves to –
Stage 2 – Attendance of under 95%. Internal monitoring will continue.
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.
At the beginning of a new school year it is very easy for percentages to fall.
By highlighting to parents if their child’s attendance is below expected, we hope to ensure every effort is made for pupils to attend if they are well enough.
Many pupils can cope with milder illnesses in school and the dedicated welfare staff will always ensure if a pupil is not well enough to be in school, that they are sent home.
Medial evidence is required for all appointments; these absences are authorised but will affect attendance percentages. Parents will still be notified of their child’s percentage attendance but will not be moved on to the next attendance stage if evidence is provided.
For good attendance recognition/awards, every pupil’s attendance will be looked at individually and appointment with medical evidence will be discounted.
PUNCTUALITY
Lateness can also have an effect on attendance percentages. If pupils are significantly late, and arrive after registration has closed, they are given a code that effects the attendance percentage.
When students come to class late, it can disrupt the flow of the class, distract other students, impede learning, and generally erode class morale. Moreover, if left unchecked, lateness can become chronic and spread throughout the class. Because there are a number of possible reasons students arrive to class late, considering which causes are at the root of the problem can help guide teachers to appropriate responses and strategies. Understanding the reasons, however, does not require tolerating the behaviour.
If you are having problems getting your child into school on time, please contact the welfare team, so we can support you and offer strategies to help you.
Welfare Team
