Principles of the Sir William Stanier Attendance Policy
At SWS, we believe that good attendance and punctuality are important in helping students achieve the best that they can be. Education is important. Students should be at school, on time and ready to learn, every day the school is open, unless the reason for absence is unavoidable.
All research shows that students who attend well achieve well.
- 6 out of 10 students with over 95% attendance (missing no more than 10 days a year) gain 5 GCSE 4+ grades (or equivalent)
- Only 1 in 10 students who are poor attendees gain 5 GCSE 4+ grades (or equivalent)
Therefore, regular and punctual attendance at school is a legal requirement, as well as being essential to enable students to maximise their educational attainments and opportunities.
If your child is unable to attend school, it is essential that you contact the school as soon as possible through either of the methods below:
In Person
Main Reception
By Phone
01270 660880 option 2
By Email
office@sws.cheshire.sch.uk
Amendments to legislation surrounding holidays in term time
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced important amendments to legislation surrounding holidays in term time.
From the 1st September 2013, the new legislation does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time. Any application for leave of absence must be in exceptional circumstances and the Head Teacher must be satisfied that the circumstances warrant the granting of leave of absence. Parents can be fined by the Local Authority for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from the school.
In the academic year 2011 to 2012, 9.7% of absences in England were due to parents/carers taking their children out of school during term time. This high level of absence has led the DfE to make this important change of legislation.
Leave of Absence Request Form
Fixed Penalty Notices for Unauthorised Holidays
As you are aware CE put on hold the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices in May 2016 due to the case of Isle of Wight v Platt. Which was found in favour of the Isle of Wight LA.
As a result of this judgement, the policy will recommence on 1st September 2017.
As from 1st September 2017 any requests made for a holiday to be taken in the academic year 2017-18 or thereafter which is not considered by the headteacher to be exceptional in circumstances, should be recorded as unauthorised, and a Fixed Penalty Notice will be issued by the LA.