Attendance

Research shows that good attendance and punctuality go hand in hand with good examination results and the positive life habits necessary for future success. Good attendance also reduces the risk of pupils conducting anti-social behaviour or becoming victims or perpetrators of crime or abuse.
Regular attendance also encourages children to build friendships and develop social groups, working together as a whole team, sharing ideas and developing life skills.
The school displays a positive and proactive ethos that places high value on attendance and punctuality and values its partnership with parents/guardians to promote good attendance.
Henlow Church of England Academy advocates close working relationships with all students and families to provide a cohesive approach to tackling attendance.

 

Authorised unforeseen circumstances

The school should be notified on the day of absence in the event of illness, bereavement or other family emergency or severe disruption to transport where there is no possible means of getting the pupil to school safely (e.g. very heavy snow).
There is an absence option on the school telephone line (01462 813733) on which you can leave a message for the Attendance Officer to pick up.

 

Planned absence which may be authorised

These require a letter or email to the school office at info@henlowacademy.org.uk  

Examples of this include:

  • Medical appointments that cannot be organised outside school time
  • Occasional care for a family member if the pupil is a known young carer
  • Religious holiday (guidelines state three days)
  • Visit to another educational establishment (AEA)
  • Occasional extra-curricular activity which gives the pupil significant benefit
  • Attendance at a family wedding or funeral 
 

Term time Holiday

Amendments to the 2006 regulations (The Education regulations 2013) remove references to family holiday and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments make clear that the Headteacher may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances and should determine the number of days a pupil can be absent of leave is permitted.

Attendance and the Law

Under section 7 of the Education act 1996, parents are responsible for ensuring that their children of compulsory school age receive full-time education. Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child’s regular attendance at the school where they are registered. If a child of compulsory school age who is registered at a school fails to attend regularly, then the parent is guilty of an offence under section 444 (1) of the Education Act 1996

 

CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A PENALTY NOTICE MAY BE ISSUED

From September 2019, Henlow Church of England Academy will be issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice to unauthorised absence of 10 sessions within a 12 week period.  This means 5 whole school days. 

This Penalty Notice is a fine of £60 which, if not paid within 21 days, rises to £120.
If you are issued with a Penalty Notice and you fail to pay it within 28 days you will be prosecuted in court. Please see http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/schools-portal/administration/inclusion/referrals.aspx  for more information.