We believe that good attendance is essential. Pupils cannot achieve their full potential if they do not regularly attend school.

We understand that barriers to attendance are complex, and that some pupils find it harder than others to attend school; therefore, we will continue to prioritise cultivating a safe and supportive environment at school, as well as strong and trusting relationships with pupils and families.

We take a whole-school approach to securing good attendance, and recognise the impact that our efforts in other areas – such as the curriculum, behaviour standards, bullying, SEND support, pastoral support, and the effective use of resources such as pupil premium – can have on improving pupil attendance.

We are committed to:

   · Promoting and modelling high attendance and its benefits.

   · Ensuring equality and fairness for all.

   · Ensuring this attendance policy is clear and easily understood by staff, pupils and families.

   · Intervening early and working with other agencies to ensure the welfare of our pupils.

   · Building strong relationships with families to overcome barriers to attendance.

   · Working collaboratively with other schools in the area, as well as other agencies.

   · Ensuring parents follow the framework set in section 7 of the Education Act 1996, which

     states that the "parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause them to

     receive efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, and to any

     SEND they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise".

   · Regularly monitoring and analysing attendance and absence data to identify pupils or

     cohorts that require more support.

The school’s attendance officer is Grant Short, and can be contacted via Admin.nfps@smartacademies.net. Staff, families and pupils will be expected to contact the attendance officer for queries or concerns about attendance.