New Pasture
LaneAttendance
At New Pasture Lane Primary School, we prioritise attendance as a vital foundation for children’s learning and wellbeing, recognising that good attendance supports positive outcomes. We maintain a clear, accessible attendance policy that sets high expectations for pupils and parents, supported by consistent monitoring and follow-up of absences. Understanding that barriers to attendance can be complex and individual, we work closely with families, local authorities, and partners to provide tailored support, including supportive discussions, attendance plans or formal parenting contracts when needed. Our whole-school culture promotes the benefits of regular attendance within a safe, calm, and supportive environment where every child is encouraged to thrive.
We have four easy 'rules to remember' which is a focus for our weekly attendance assemblies:
Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their child receives the best education they can. This means making sure that their child attends school regularly, on time and ready to learn.
We understand that some families face barriers that can be challenging to overcome. We are committed to working with parents and carers to support maintaining good attendance for your child.
Attendance levels are regularly reviewed by the attendance team. If your child's attendance falls below 90% we will send you a letter to explain that we are monitoring your child's attendance. If there is no improvement in your child's attendance, we will agree an action plan with targets set for the next four weeks. We aim to support parents and pupils to overcome any barriers they face regarding attending school. If the targets agreed within an action plan are not met we will then send a referral to the Education Welfare Service (EWS) with a copy of the letters, the action plan and attendance figures.
The attendance team will contact parents each day that a child is not in school. If a child does not return within 3 days, we will complete a home visit as part of our safeguarding protocols.
We also review children who are regularly late to school. Parents will be informed by letter of the amount of late marks accrued and the impact these have on the child's attendance, and a meeting may be arranged. Persistent absences will trigger an attendance plan and parents may be referred to the EWS.
Absence from school
There will be occasions when your child will be absent from school. It is very important that you inform school when your child will be absent and the reason for the absence. Any absence with no notification of reason from an adult with parental responsibility will be classified as unauthorised.
Absences can be reported to the school either by telephone on 01262 601684 or by text to 07483340187. Contact should be made with the school no later than 8.40am.
Below is more information on if your child is ill and/or needs medicine during school and a parent information leaflet provided by the NHS and East Riding of Yorkshire Council as a guide to school absence.
What if my child is ill at school?
If your child is ill, during the school day, we will make every effort to contact you.
It is therefore important that we have an up to date contact telephone number on
our school records. In cases of illness, we will make the child as comfortable as
possible and ensure that he/she is fully supervised. We have multiple members of staff who are qualified to carry out First Aid.
What if my child needs medicine during school?
In line with the Education Authority Policy we cannot accept responsibility for the giving of medicine. If your child is well enough to be in school and has a course of medicine prescribed by a doctor, we will administer the required dose at lunchtime. A request form must be completed at the office. Medicines must be collected at the end of the school day.
In the case of asthmatic children requiring daily doses of medication, a supply (labelled please) may be left in school, accessible to children or to trained adults who support your child in class.
nhs parent information leaflet may 23.pdf
Request for absence from school in exceptional circumstances and Penalty Notices.
You are required under the Education Act (1996) to ensure your child attends school regularly. If your child accrues 10 consecutive sessions of unauthorised absence you may be liable for a penalty notice (1 days absence = 2 sessions, 5 days absence = 10 sessions).
Parents must complete a request for absence from school in exceptional circumstances form and submit it to the school, allowing enough time for the school to consider the request and provide parents with a decision.
School holidays cannot be authorised by Headteachers, if holidays are taken, those over 5 days will be referred to the EWS for a penalty notice.
Impact of Attendance on Learning Time Lost and Lessons Missed
Reading, writing, and maths are taught daily, so missed lessons in these core subjects has a significant effect on your child’s progress.
- Regular attendance is essential for consistent progress in these key areas.
- The school follows DfE guidance to monitor attendance and work collaboratively with families to reduce absence and its impact on learning.
- Our Attendance Policy sets out how we support parents and manage attendance.
working together to improve school attendance august 2024.pdf
summary table of responsibilities for school attendance august 2024.pdf
