CLA Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance 

Children must be educated in school while they are of statutory school age (SSA); that is, between the school term after their fifth birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16. From age 16 - 18, they must be in some form of education, training or employment; this can include voluntary work, internships and work experience. 

In order for children to realise their academic potential, it is highly recommended they have attendance of at least 95%. 

When children miss school other than when they are ill, not only are they missing out on teaching and learning, they are also missing out on learning essential life skills such as how to interact and communicate with others in a positive social way. Good school attendance is a safeguarding factor in the lives of Looked After Children. Carers, social workers and schools have a joint responsibility to ensure the children in their care attend school every day. They are expected to work together supportively if attendance rates dip. As part of our duty as corporate parent, Hillingdon commissions Welfare Call to contact the school for each of our Looked After Children every day to check that they are attending and, if not, to ascertain the reason why. 

Unacceptable reasons for absence

• Medical, dental and therapy appointments should be made for out-of-school hours. Carers and social workers should negotiate with medical practitioners to ensure Looked After Children are a priority for such appointments 
• Holidays may not be taken during term-time and those with parental authority may be fined for taking their children on holiday when they should be in school 

Punctuality

Looked After Children should be supported to have 100% punctuality to school as missing the start of the school day can cause confusion and anxiety. For example, schools will often use morning assemblies and registration time to give out important notices, to check home-school diaries and to check that pupils have all of the necessary equipment and uniform. Pupils who start late are disadvantaged. 

When a child is late before the register closes they will be marked in the school register as being late. If a child arrives after the register closes (with each school this time maybe different), the child will be marked as absent. The register is taken in the morning and afternoon, each mark counts as half a day. Lateness can impact an overall attendance figure, as each absence will count.