It is our overarching aim that a sense of belonging is felt by all pupils in all groups and contributes to positive behaviour, good attendance, a sense of wellbeing and academic progress. To that end we have been reviewing our attendance systems and the following will be introduced in January 2024. Full details will be sent by Parentmail each half term.
= On Target
Self Monitoring
Congratulations letter & house points per half term
Fact: Students with attendance in this range make almost a grade more progress in their GCSEs than other students.
= 50 Missed Lessons
Tutor Monitoring
Form teachers will monitor and discuss attendance with students
Fact: Students with attendance in this group generally make half a grade more progress in all their GCSEs than those with attendance below 95%
= 100 Missed Lessons
Head of Year Monitoring
Heads of year will be in touch with parents to discuss student’s attendance and monitor closely
Fact: Students with attendance in this group generally make 85% less progress than those with attendance above 98%
= 150 Missed Lessons
Pastoral Lead Monitoring
Pastoral leads will invite parents to a meeting to discuss a parental attendance contract
Fact: Students with attendance below 90% rarely make expected progress in their GCSEs
= 200 Missed Lessons
Local Authority Involvement
Local authority and/or Governors attendance panels involvement. Social services and other agencies may be involved and a fine may be issued
Fact: Students with attendance below 85% drop below their expected progress in all their GCSEs by at least 1 full grade, and some by as many as 3
The Children’s commissioner recently released a report highlighting very similar statistics to the facts listed above. The report concluded that when families and schools work more closely together along with other agencies a real change can take place.The report also concluded that even if attendance is low in Year 10, an improvement in Year 11 can have a massive positive impact on outcomes.
Attendance Guidance
We appreciate that there are times when your child will need to be absent from school, and that there are sometimes occasions when attendance will drop for very legitimate reasons. There is some useful information from the DfE here that helps clarify this.
Lancashire Education Authority (LEA), advice to Parents and Carers’
The staff at the school will work with young people and their families to try and reduce the impact of this to an absolute minimum. It is worth noting however, that where poor attendance is supported without good reason schools are increasingly being encouraged by Lancashire Education Authority to use the available legal framework to address this. If you wish to know more about this please click on the document below, which gives more details on how this works.
LEA Information for Parents and Carers
Holidays in Term Time
As of 1st September 2013, Headteachers cannot authorise any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. In addition, any unauthorised absence which exceeds 4 school days is now liable for a FIxed Penalty Notice of £120 per child, per parent, or £60 per child per parent if paid within 21 days.
With respect to the booking of holidays, we understand and fully appreciate the cost implications for families when bookings are made during school holiday periods. That said, we have no option but to follow Government Policy in this matter.
We hope all Parents and Carers will support the school in its ambition for your child’s future success through reducing unnecessary absence and therefore minimising the impact upon their education.
If you wish to ask under certain circumstances for leave of absence then please download and complete the ‘Application for Leave of Absence‘ from at the link below. Completed forms can be returned to school by either:
a) Dropping off the form at the school reception
b) Email to reception@aldergrange.com
The Headteacher will then make a decision as to whether to authorise the request and you will be contacted in due course with regards to the outcome.