The Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust is a group of schools that follow co-operative values like equality, fairness, democracy, and care for others. This trust believes in strong attendance policies to make sure students come to school regularly and are ready to learn. Good attendance helps students do better in school and prepares them for the future.
This policy applies to all schools under the Trust and explains the roles of students, parents, school staff, and welfare officers when it comes to school attendance and punctuality.
Why Attendance is Important
Good attendance is key to student success. Missing school means missing learning time, which can affect grades and future opportunities. The Trust wants all students to have at least 96% attendance. Schools aim to create a friendly and safe place where every child feels welcome and supported, making it easier for them to attend regularly.
What the Schools Aim to Do
Schools under the Osborne Trust work to:
- Promote regular attendance by rewarding students who come on time every day.
- Support parents and students when attendance drops.
- Communicate clearly with families about any attendance issues.
- Create a positive school environment linked to the Trust’s co-operative values.
- Work closely with welfare officers to manage serious attendance problems.
Roles and Responsibilities
Education Welfare Officers (EWOs)
EWOs help schools by:
- Visiting homes after long or unusual absences.
- Helping vulnerable families with attendance issues.
- Attending court if legal action is needed for poor attendance.
- Working with schools and local authorities to improve student attendance.
School Staff
Teachers and staff must:
- Take attendance daily without leaving blanks in registers.
- Ask for medical evidence if a child is absent for 5 days.
- Report pupils with 10% or more absences as persistently absent.
- Monitor attendance and report to school boards regularly.
Parents and Carers
Parents must:
- Make sure their child attends school daily and on time.
- Inform the school of any absence on the first day and give a return date.
- Avoid taking holidays during term time, as this will be marked unauthorised and can lead to fines.
- Provide medical proof for long absences when requested.
- Make sure the school has up-to-date contact information.
Punctuality Matters
Being on time is just as important as attendance. Students who are late disrupt the class and miss important lessons. If a student is late often, the school may issue warnings or fines. A same-day detention may also be given to encourage punctuality.
Holidays During Term Time
Holidays in term time are not allowed unless there are very special reasons. Financial savings or work-related reasons are not accepted. Taking your child out for 10 days could lower their attendance to 94.7%, which affects learning and exam preparation.
Parents must apply for leave in writing at least 5 days before the planned holiday. If leave is taken without approval, it is marked unauthorised, and fines may apply.
What Happens If a Child Goes Missing from School
A child is considered missing if:
- They don’t show up without explanation.
- The school can’t reach any emergency contacts.
- The family has moved without giving a new address.
In these cases, the school follows local council rules to report the child and work with other agencies like social care, housing, or police.
High-risk children (those under child protection plans or in care) are reported immediately, and their social workers are informed within 24 hours. Welfare checks and official referrals are made to ensure the child’s safety.
Thames Park Secondary School’s Approach
Thames Park Secondary School follows all the above policies and adds extra support like:
- Daily phone calls or texts for absent students.
- Home visits after 3 days of no contact.
- Immediate referrals for vulnerable students.
- Tutors tracking attendance and contacting parents.
- Rewards for good attendance and quick consequences for being late.
Parents must also inform both school and external education providers if their child attends off-site learning or college.
The Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust takes attendance very seriously because it directly affects a child’s education and future. Every school under the Trust works with families, staff, and external services to make sure students attend regularly, arrive on time, and stay safe. By working together, we can give every child the best chance to succeed in school and beyond.
