Attendance - Scoil Bhríde, Croghan



Scoil Bhríde Croghan

Attendance Policy

This policy was reviewed and updated in

Attendance

There is a very strong tradition of good attendance in Scoil Bhríde. However, the changing social fabric of the nation is altering attitudes to school and we are anxious that parents be aware of the absolute necessity for regular punctual attendance at school. Quite simply, children cannot learn if they are not in school. The following strategies have been put in place to help foster an appreciation of learning and good attendance;

The aims of the attendance policy in Scoil Bhríde are to:

• Encourage pupils to attend school regularly and punctually.

• Share the promotion of school attendance amongst all in the school community.

• Inform the school community of its role and responsibility as outlined in the Act.

• Identify pupils who may be at risk of developing school attendance problems.

• Ensure that the school has procedures in place to promote attendance/participation.

• Develop, subject to available resources, links between the school and the families of children who may be at risk of developing attendance problems.

• Identify and remove, insofar as is practicable, obstacles to school attendance,

The school will ensure that:

• The importance of school attendance is promoted throughout the school.

• Pupils are registered accurately and efficiently.

• Pupil attendance is recorded daily.

• Parents or guardians are contacted when reasons for absences are unknown or have not been communicated.

• Pupil attendance and lateness is monitored.

• School attendance statistics are reported as appropriate to:

• TUSLA

• The Board of Management

Punctuality

Children should arrive from 9:10 a.m. and children are required to be in their classrooms not later than 9:20 a.m. All pupils and teachers are expected to be on time. The school will contact parents/guardians in the event of pupils being consistently late. The Principal is obliged, under the Education Welfare Act, to report children who are persistently late to TUSLA.

Guidance for Parents

Section [(21) (9)] of the Act states that: “a pupil’s absence can only be authorised by the Principal when the child is involved in activities organised by the school or in which the school is involved”. The school principal cannot authorise a child’s absence for holidays during school time. However, it is essential that parents inform the school of such arrangements.

Reasons for pupils’ absences must be communicated in writing, by parents/guardians to the school and will be retained by the school. To facilitate this, such communications should be written in the pupil’s homework diary. If a child is absent, when the child returns to school s/he should give/show this written note to the class teacher which contains the child’s name, the dates of absence and the reason for the absence. These notes will form a record which may be inspected by the Education Welfare Officer on a visit to the school. The school will contact parents when a written explanation for the child’s absence is not received by the school.

In Scoil Bhríde, attendance is recorded daily using the data information system, Aladdin. Each teacher calls the roll and records attendance by 10:00am each morning. On days when the internet is not working in school, a Roll Book is passed around to each teacher. In the event of a mainstream teacher being absent, the attendance for that room is passed on to Mrs Greene. Should Mrs Greene be absent the Principal takes responsibility. The returns are submitted electronically, biannually, in January and June. A Primary Student Absence Report is compiled listing the pupils who have been absent for 20 days or more and the reasons why, pupils whose attendance the teacher or principal is concerned about and the pupils whose names have been removed from the roll. This report is submitted to TUSLA.

Parents/guardians can promote good school attendance by:

• Ensuring regular and punctual school attendance.

• Notifying the School in writing if their children cannot attend and explain the reasons why

• Working with the School and education welfare service to resolve any attendance problems;

0. Making sure their children understand that parents support and approve of school attendance;

1. Discussing planned absences with the school.

2. Refraining, if at all possible, from taking holidays during school time

3. Showing an interest in their children’s school day and their children’s homework.

4. Encouraging them to participate in school activities.

5. Praising and encouraging their children’s achievements.

6. Instilling in their children, a positive self-concept and a positive sense of self-worth.

7. Informing the school in writing of the reasons for absence from school.

8. Ensuring, insofar as is possible, that children’s appointments (with dentists etc), are arranged for times outside of school hours.

9. Contacting the school immediately, if they have concerns about absence or other related school matters.

10. Notifying, in writing, the school if their child/children, particularly children in junior classes, are to be collected by someone not known to the teacher.

Pupils

• Pupils have the clear responsibility to attend school regularly and punctually.

• Pupils should inform staff if there is a problem that may lead to their absence.

• Pupils are responsible for promptly passing on absence notes from parents to their class teacher.

• Pupils are responsible for passing school correspondence to their parents, on the specified day.

A strategy for promoting good school attendance

The Board of Management is committed to providing a positive school atmosphere which is conducive to promoting good school attendance. In this regard:

• The school curriculum, insofar as is practicable, is flexible and relevant to the needs of the individual child.

• The school will promote development of good self-concept and self-worth in the children.

• Support for pupils, who have special educational needs, are in place in accordance with Department of Education & Science guidelines.

• Internal communication procedures are in place to inform teachers of the special needs of pupils.

• The assistance of the Education Welfare Officer will be utilised.

• The attendance rates of pupils will be monitored by the class teacher in the first instance, and the class teacher will notify the Principal of any concerns regarding the attendance of any child.

• Pupils with a poor attendance record will, insofar as is practicable, be supported in an effort to improve their attendance.

School Principal

The School Principal will:

• Ensure that the school register of pupils is maintained in accordance with regulations.

• Inform the Education Welfare Officer:

• If a pupil is not attending school regularly.

• When a pupil has been absent for 15 or more days during the course of a school year.

• When a pupil has been absent for 20 or more days during the course of a school year.

• If a pupil has been suspended for a period of six or more days.

• When a pupil’s name is removed from the school register.

• Inform parents of a decision to contact the Education Welfare Officer of concerns regarding a pupil.

• Insofar as is practicable, promote the importance of good school attendance among pupils, parents and staff

Class Teacher

The class teacher will:

• Maintain the school roll in accordance with procedure.

• Keep a record of explained and unexplained absences.

• Contact parents in instances where absences are not explained in writing.

• Encourage pupils to attend regularly and punctually.

• Inform the Principal of concerns s/he may have regarding the attendance of any pupil.

Communicating with parents

Scoil Bhríde will endeavour to inform parents about the importance of attendance and highlight the role TUSLA. Furthermore, the school will communicate with parents in the following ways if there is a concern regarding attendance

• All parents will receive an introductory letter concerning the Education Welfare Act 2000 on an annual basis.(Appendix 1)

• Parents will receive a letter from the school informing when a child has accumulated 15 absent days or more. The letter will outline that the school will be informing TUSLA once a total of 20 absent days has been accumulated. (Appendix 2)

• Parents will receive a letter from the school informing when a child has accumulated 20 absent days or more. The letter will outline that the school will be informing TUSLA (Appendix 3)

Record/Communication

Subject to the restrictions of the Data Protection Act attendance, behaviour and academic records of children who transfer to another primary school will be passed to the Principal of the school, by post, as soon as we receive written notification of transfer.

Attendance, behaviour and academic records of children who transfer from another primary school will be sought directly from the previous school.

Attendance, behaviour and academic records of pupils transferring to a second level school will be sent to the school, if requested, once enrolment has been confirmed.

This policy is reviewed and ratified by the Board of Management in 2011

Signed: _________________________________________________

Chairperson, Board of Management

Appendix 1 – Introductory letter to parents

Dear Parents,

I am writing to tell you a little about the Education Welfare Act 2000 and about some of the responsibilities we share under the Act.

As you know, a good education gives your child the best possible start in life. The purpose of the Education Welfare Act 2000 is to encourage regular school attendance and participation in education for as long as possible.

Under the law, every child must attend school regularly up to sixteen years of age. TUSLA was established to support school attendance and follow up on children who are not attending school regularly.

Under our school policy, you must let the school know if your child is absent and the reason why. It is school policy that the reasons must be given in writing. The school will contact you in the following circumstances;

• If you have not communicated in writing the reasons for your child’s attendance

• If we are concerned about your child’s attendance

• If we are reporting to TUSLA about your child’s attendance

The school will notify TUSLA if a child is absent for 20 days or more or where the absence gives rise to concern.

If your child is sick or absent for other good reasons, no action will be taken by the TUSLA. However, if there is a concern about your child’s attendance at school or about the reasons given, you may be visited by an Educational Welfare Officer who will discuss your child’s education with you.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Is mise,

___________________________

Caroline Reynolds

School Principal

Appendix 2 – letter 2

Dear Parents

I am writing to you regarding ________________ attendance at school. _____________has been absent for 15 days as outlined in the attached absence report.

Under the law, every child must attend school regularly up to sixteen years of age. When your child is absent, you as a parent must let the school know the reason for this absence every time. It is school policy that you do this in writing.

It is our responsibility to inform TUSLA when a child has missed 20 days or more of school.

If you wish to discuss____________________ attendance, please contact the school to arrange an appointment as soon as possible.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Is mise,

_____________________________

Caroline Reynolds

School Principal

Appendix 3 – letter 3

Dear Parents,

I am writing to you regarding ______________________ attendance at school. _______________________ has been absent for _________________ days in total as outlined in the attached absence report.

Because ______________________ has now been absent for 20 days, the school must pass the information to TUSLA. An Educational Welfare Officer may therefore be in contact with you to discuss the matter further.

Is mise,

_______________________

Caroline Reynolds

School Principal

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