At Hebburn Lakes we believe the foundations of securing good attendance begins by ensuring our school creates a calm, orderly, safe and supportive environment where all pupils want to be and are keen and ready to learn.
We seek to ensure that all pupils receive an education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise his/her true potential. The school will strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment, whereby each member of the school community feels wanted and secure. All school staff will work with pupils and their families to ensure each pupil attends school regularly and punctually.
The school has establish an effective system of incentives and rewards that acknowledges the efforts of pupils to improve their attendance and timekeeping and will challenge the behaviour of those pupils and parents who give low priority to attendance and punctuality.
If your child takes too much time off school they will become considered as PA or persistently absent. (Attendance below 90% = persistent absence). Missing school will make your child fall behind in lessons and will impact on their academic progress and achievement. In order to support you and your child to improve their attendance you will be invited in for an AIMs Meeting to see how we can support you and your child.
Rewards through Attendanceopoly include:
- Extra playtime or golden time
- Arts and crafts
- Cooking
- First in for lunch with a decorative table and much more
To meet these objectives Hebburn Lakes Primary School has established an effective and efficient system of communication with pupils, parents and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support.
How to help your child get the most from school
- Make sure your child has enough sleep.
- Make sure your child has an alarm clock or is woken in plenty of time.
- Make sure your child has clothes ready the night before including swimming kit, PE kit, outdoor learning clothes, cycling kit if necessary
- Arrange dental and medical appointments outside of school hours wherever possible.
- Do not book holidays in term time – they are very unlikely to be authorised.
Pupils can come into school from 8.10am – 8.30am for breakfast club, the school day starts promptly at 8.55 a.m. If a child arrives at school after 8.55 a.m. without prior arrangements having been agreed, he/she will be deemed late. Registers close at 9.25 a.m. and arrival at school after this time, without prior approval or extenuating circumstances, will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
Pupils arriving at school after 8.55 a.m. must enter through the main gates and report to the school office to be signed in by an adult. Pupils leaving school for any reason must report to the office before they go so that we can ensure that they are appropriately chaperoned and signed out.
What is expected of the pupils?
- To respect themselves and others
- To do all they can to attend school regularly and punctually
- To encourage friendship and a sense of belonging
- To be happy and encourage others to feel happy
What is expected of the Parents?
- To keep requests for their child to be absent to a minimum
- To offer a reason, or/and medical proof, for any period of absence, preferably before the absence or on the first day of absence
- To ensure that their child arrives at school on time, a reason should be offered for any lateness
- To work closely with the school and the Attendance Champion, Mrs Docherty, to resolve any problems that may impede a child’s attendance
- To take family holidays during school holiday periods and be aware that requests for holidays during term time will be refused except in special/exceptional circumstances.
- To be aware of curriculum requirements and be especially vigilant with regards to attendance during important academic times such as SATS
- To support their child and recognise their successes and achievements
As detailed in our Attendance Policy, and in line with DfE guidance, we do not authorise leave of absence during term time other than when exceptional circumstances permit. If you wish to take your child out of school, during term time, it is important to discuss this with us as much as in advance as possible so we can guide you through the process.
However, where absence is unauthorised, it could lead to further action being taken including a penalty notice being issued. Department for Education information regarding this is available by CLICKING HERE.
Attendance Guidance and Information
Working together to improve school attendance
Summary table of responsibilities for school attendance
