Attendance Information
Gayton is a happy and welcoming school. We promote a family atmosphere, where each person is actively encouraged to show care and interest in the welfare of others. Our mission is to nurture 'positive minds' so as to create 'positive futures' for all of our pupils. We offer a calm, orderly, safe and supportive environment where all pupils want to be and are keen and ready to learn.
We work hard with pupils and parents to remove any barriers to attendance by building strong and trusting relationships and work together with other agencies to put the right support in place for any pupil who may be finding it harder than others to attend school.
Gayton Primary School is proudly recognised as an Inclusive Attendance school. Our unwavering commitment to attendance centres around child-centric actions, evidence-informed practices, and a shared understanding of everyone's roles and collective responsibilities to promote exceptional attendance.
At Gayton Primary, we are driven by an unwavering commitment to making school attendance a top priority, fully integrated with every aspect of school improvement. Using the Inclusive Attendance Model – the first and only accredited programme providing the pedagogy of practice – we support children and families to connect, belong, and thrive.
Inclusive Attendance Professional Development Model
The Inclusive Attendance professional development model fundamentally guides our attendance approach. Comprising six tailored Learning Modules, this model empowers us to deepen our understanding by facilitating continuous professional learning for all staff. Within this model, the four domains of practice ensure the provision of professional learning, professional development, evidence-based practices, and exemplary leadership and management seamlessly integrate theory into practice.
The six models are outlined below:
Inclusive Attendance Implementation Programme
Each year, Gayton Primary reviews and further enhances attendance practices through dedicated participation in the Inclusive Attendance 7-month implementation programme. This investment allows us to remain at the forefront of educational change and extends unparalleled support to our children and their families, equipping them with access to the finest possible support.
Impact and Collaboration
Through our ongoing year-long implementation programme, and five year long-term strategy, we deliver measurable impact by creating an inclusive attendance culture and improving outcomes for all children and young people. We are outward-facing in our approach and value working regionally and nationally, through a systems-led model with other schools and external agencies. We continually strengthen and enhance our offer year on year. This work is underpinned by ongoing accredited CPD for staff each year, ensuring sustainable change, stronger outcomes for children and young people, and a deeply embedded culture of collective responsibility.
Multi-Tiered System of Support
To guarantee a comprehensive approach to attendance, we implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support. A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for school attendance involves three tiers of intervention, with roles for teachers, the school, children, parents, and external agencies – including the Local Authority. Data-driven decision-making and training requirements are pivotal to the implementation of the system. The system aligns with the Department for Education's (DFE) "Working Together to Improve School Attendance" guidelines.
Tier 1: Universal Approach: Establishing a baseline universal attendance approach that benefits all children
Tier 2: Individualised Strategies and Early Help Support: Tailoring strategies to individual needs and providing early help support for persistent attendance challenges.
Tier 3: Higher Needs Strategies Support: Furnishing specialised support for children and families with complex attendance requirements, including access to external agency support when necessary.
The Importance of School Attendance
School attendance is not merely a requirement but a fundamental pillar of education. It plays a pivotal role in shaping academic success, personal growth, and future prospects, making it an indispensable aspect of any educational system.
Academic Achievement: Regular attendance directly correlates with academic success. Children who attend school consistently are more likely to keep up with the curriculum, perform better in exams, and improve their life outcomes.
Knowledge Acquisition: School is where children acquire knowledge and skills that are crucial for their personal and professional growth. Missing days means missing out on valuable learning opportunities.
Social Development: School provides a vital social environment for children and adolescents to interact with peers, develop friendships, and learn essential social skills. Consistent attendance ensures children remain connected to their peer group.
Building Routine: School attendance establishes a structured routine in children’s lives, teaching them time management and responsibility, which are valuable life skills.
Teacher Interaction: Regular attendance allows for meaningful teacher-child interactions. Teachers can provide personalised support, address questions, and assess individual progress more effectively when children attend regularly.
Preventing Knowledge Gaps: Frequent absences can lead to significant knowledge gaps, making it challenging for children to catch up with missed lessons, potentially resulting in long-term academic struggles.
School Engagement: Children who attend school regularly are more likely to engage in extra-curricular activities, sports, and other enriching experiences that contribute to their overall development.
Legal and Parental Responsibility: Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring their child's regular school attendance. Failing to do so can lead to legal consequences.
Community Well-being: High levels of school attendance contribute to the overall well-being of communities.
Further Attendance Information:
Punctuality:
School begins at 8:50am and all pupils are expected to be in school for registration at this time. Pupils who are late are disrupting not their own education but also that of others. Where persistent lateness gives cause for concern further action may be taken. In the first instance this will involve a discussion with the parent or carer followed by a letter home if the situation does not improve.
The guidance below is to inform parens/carers about children arriving late to school. The procedure will be as follows:
8:40am: School gates open
8:50am- 8:55am- Registers are taken in each class.
If a child does not arrive at school by 8:50am, they should enter via the main school office and parents should sign them in.
Reporting absences from school:
We recognise there are times when children will be absent from school. It is really important that school is made aware of the circumstances for any absence from school.
Illness:
Sickness absence should be reported to the school office before 9:00am on each morning of the absence. A message can be left on the absence answer phone line on 0151 342 3772. If we have not received any communication from you then one of our admin team will try to get in contact with you before 9:30am. If your child is absent due to sickness and/or diarrohea, we ask that they do not return for 48 hours following the last bout of symptoms. This is in line with the minimum timescaled according to NHS advice.
Medical Appointments:
As a school, we have a duty of care to ensure that all children registered with us are kept safe. We ask that where possible, all medical appointments are taken outside of school hours. Where this is not possible, parents/carers should try to ensure that their child can still be present for registration times at 8:50am and 1:05pm. When a child does have a medical appointment during school time, the school office will require evidence of this appointment. Children should be brought back to school after their appointment as soon as possible.
Leave of absence/Holidays during term time:
If you wish to apply for a leave of absence for your child, please ensure that you have referred to the Attendance Policy. Due to changes in legislation, only absence requests with exceptional circumstances will be granted.
Guidance from the DFE explains that these reasons should not be authorised:
Extended family holidays
One day trips to see relatives
Birthdays or event holidays
Holidays to long haul destinations.
Below is a list of some circumstances when the Headteacher can authorise a holiday:
Parent in the armed forces returns home for limited period in term time during tours of duty.
To allow family time prior to and following the death of a very close relative.
Life threatening and life limiting illness of child, parent or sibling.
An absence request form must still be completed and returned to the school office.
Emergency Contacts:
From time-to-time accidents can occur or children can become ill. It is important that the school has an address and telphone number where parents can be contacted in an emergency. Please inform the School Office if there is any change to your emergency contact details.