Attendance Equals Success

The Ten Percent Factor: 10% absence means the equivalent of one day or more per fortnight across a full school year. 

This section provides guidance for parents and carers at Minerva May School regarding attendance. It covers attendance procedures, term-time holiday requests, and the legal responsibilities surrounding school attendance, including those set by the Local Authority. 

We encourage parents and carers to contact us if their child is facing challenges that may affect attendance. We are here to provide support wherever needed. 

Staff Members to Support with Attendance Concerns: 

  • Emily Kelly – School Attendance Lead (SAL), who is our Deputy Headteacher for Behaviour, Safeguarding and Pastoral, also referred to as our DfE’s Senior Attendance Champion. 

  • Sarah Mearns – School Attendance Officer (SAO) 

Contacting Us 

If your child needs to miss school due to illness, please inform us on each day of their absence. We ask that you contact us before 8:00 a.m. through one of the following methods: 

  • Telephone: 01293 222 502

If your child is absent and we haven’t been informed, we will contact you requesting an explanation. Please respond promptly to ensure your child’s safety and wellbeing. 

Medical Appointments 

Where possible, medical appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours. If this cannot be arranged, students are expected to attend school before and after their appointments. 

Medical Evidence for Absences 

In some cases, we may request medical evidence to authorise a student’s absence. Examples of acceptable medical evidence include: 

  • Appointment cards from GPs or dentists 

  • Medical appointment letters 

  • Empty prescribed medication packets with a dispensing label 

  • Prescription copies 

  • Medical certificates or letters from healthcare professionals indicating the student is unfit to attend school 

Please note that medical certificates from online services are not accepted. They must come from a local GP who has physically seen the student. 

It is the responsibility of parents and carers to provide medical evidence when requested. 

Attendance Monitoring - Persistent and Severe Absence 

Good attendance is vital for academic success, and Minerva May School defines satisfactory attendance as 92%. Attendance is reviewed regularly. 

A student is classified as a 'persistent absentee' if they miss 10% or more of the school year. Such absence, whether authorised or unauthorised, can seriously impact learning, and we require full cooperation from parents to improve attendance. Students missing 50% or more of the academic year are considered ‘severely absent’ and will require additional support. 

For repeated absences, the school will: 

  • Contact parents if attendance or punctuality becomes a concern 

  • Arrange a meeting with the relevant staff member to discuss attendance 

  • Create a personalised support plan, such as an attendance contract, to address any barriers 

  • Refer parents to external services or agencies if necessary 

  • In cases of serious concern, refer the matter to the Local Authority, which may lead to legal action 

We understand that medical conditions can lead to absence, but we encourage students to build resilience to minor ailments like colds. Time spent in school is crucial to their progress. 

The Department for Education (DfE) defines 'persistent absence' as attendance falling to 90% or below. Students with this level of absence will be categorised as persistently absent. 

Referral and Involvement of the Local Authority 

If a student's attendance remains concerning despite our interventions, we may refer the case to the Local Authority. 

Schools across England must adhere to a national threshold for unauthorised absences. If a student accumulates 10 sessions (equal to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10-week period, a penalty notice may be issued. These absences can be spread across terms, and they do not need to be consecutive. 

The penalties include a £160 fine per parent, per child, reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days (for a first offence). If a second penalty notice is issued within three years, the fine remains £160 per parent, per child.  

For further offences, the case may be referred to the Local Authority, potentially resulting in prosecution in the Magistrates' Court. Parents prosecuted for irregular attendance could face a fine of up to £2,500 and/or up to 3 months in prison, along with a criminal conviction. 

Term-Time Holiday Requests 

Minerva May School does not authorise holidays during term time. Absences are only approved in exceptional circumstances. Requests for absences should be made via email to the Headteacher.  

For more detailed information, please refer to the school’s Attendance Policy.