Our Staged Approach
We use a supportive, step‑by‑step approach that focuses on expectation, monitoring, listening, facilitation, support, formalising support where needed, and—only when all else is exhausted—enforcement.
Stage overview
Culture (Blue/Green): 96–100% – We monitor and celebrate high attendance.
Stage 1 (Yellow): 90–95% or 5 days’ absence – School monitoring and a proactive phone call to understand reasons and offer help.
Stage 2 (Critical): around 10 days’ absence – Letter sent; opportunity to meet with Attendance Champion to explore and understand barriers; set targets and review and celebrate improvement through a monitoring period.
Stage 3 (Serious Risk): around 15 days’ absence – Senior Leader/Headteacher/HoS meeting (and LA if applicable); discussion around barriers, what has worked and targets are still needed to secure improvements. It may be appropriate to discuss and implement a parent contract to aid improvements.
Stage 4 (Persistent Absence): 19 days in the year / <90% – Child is persistently absent (PA) for the remainder of the academic year; multi‑agency support may be explored and involved to aid in securing improvements and school may follow formal processes.
Stage 5 (Severe PA): substantial barrier and risk – Multi‑agency plan (e.g., Early Help/Family Plan); may consider an Education Supervision Order (ESO) and legal routes if support does not or has not led to improvement.
Across all stages we will listen, work in partnership with parents/carers, and wherever possible support in the removal of barriers in school, while helping families access wider support (including Early Help) where needed.
Support is tailored to the individual circumstances of the pupil and family, including consideration of special educational needs, disability, health and emotional wellbeing.
Working Together
As a school we are committed to:
- Promoting high attendance for all pupils
- Acting early when concerns arise
- Supporting families with identified barriers
- Safeguarding every child
How you can help as a parent/carer:
- Ensure your child attends school every day and on time
- Communicate with school about absence
- Avoid term-time holidays
- Attend and meetings and engage with support offered
