RATIONALE:
It is the legal responsibility of the Board of Trustees to ensure that all children enrolled at Churton Park School maximise their learning opportunities by attending regularly, and that procedures are in place to ensure children’s safety.
PURPOSES:
1. To ensure that all children gain the maximum benefit from their schooling through regular attendance.
2. To ensure that the rights and welfare of all the children are monitored and protected.
3. To ensure that effective channels of communication exist between the school and home enabling accurate methods of monitoring attendance for each individual child.
4. To ensure that procedures are in place to check on unexplained absences.
GUIDELINES:
1. Any absence must be explained either in writing or by phone or verbal explanation to the child’s teacher or to the office.
2. Attendance registers are marked at 9.00am and 1.30pm everyday.
3. Absences are noted by the teacher in the absence folder which is sent to the school office immediately after roll call.
4. A parent/caregiver whose child is away without explanation will be contacted by phone, as soon as possible, to ensure the safety of the child.
5. Punctuality is expected and encouraged throughout the school. Children should be settled and ready to start work prior to 9.00am.
6. Children arriving after 9.00am are to report to the school office before going to class.
7. When a child’s attendance becomes erratic, either through health or unexplained absence, senior staff or the principal will contact parents/guardians.
8. If attendance matters are not resolved through initial contact, assistance may be sought from outside agencies - (Child Youth and Family Service, Wellington Truancy Service (Special Education Service).
9. Where attendance remains unsatisfactory the Board of Trustees may instigate legal proceedings against the parent or guardian.
10. Parents will be made aware that the school is not legally able to grant permission for non-attendance other than for medical reasons or extenuating family circumstances. In exceptional circumstances, the Education Act 1989 (Part 3 - Enrolment and Attendance of Students) makes provision for the Principal to grant permission for non-attendance for up to five days only.
11. Staff will not provide learning activities for students who are absent for any length of time on trips or holidays. A list of suggested activities will be made available at the school office.
SELF REVIEW:
1. The policy is reviewed in accordance with the Board’s triennial programme of self review.
2. The review process will involve consultation with the school staff, and the parent community.
3. The reviewed policy will be made available to members of the school community once ratified by the Board.
Chairperson’s Signature ________________________ Date:__________________
Review Date: