DfE guidance states that schools need to have a dedicated Senior Leader as the Attendance Champion. At Rosehill, the school’s Attendance Champion is Charlotte Turner and the school's Attendance Officer is Kate Lloyds. Parents/ carers, pupils and staff can contact the Attendance Champion/Officer via email regarding queries or concerns about attendance 
c.turner@rosehill.nottingham.sch.uk or k.lloyds@rosehill.nottingham.sch.uk

The Importance of Attendance 

School attendance is everyone’s responsibility and is an integral part of the school’s ethos. Rosehill School believes that in order to facilitate teaching and learning, good attendance is essential. Pupils cannot achieve their full potential if they do not regularly attend school.

The school fully recognises its responsibilities to ensure pupils are both in school and on time, therefore having access to learning for the maximum number of days and hours. 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 parents.

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

We are committed to:

• Continuing to develop and maintain a whole school culture that promotes the benefits of high attendance. 
• Promoting and modelling high attendance.
• Ensuring equality and fairness for all.
• Ensuring the schools attendance policy is clear, easily understood and accessible to all pupils, parents/carers and staff.
• Accurately completing admissions and attendance registers and having effective day-to-day processes in place to follow up when absence occurs.
• Building strong relationships with families, seeking to understand the barriers to attendance and working with families to help remove these.
• Intervening early and working with other agencies to ensure the health and safety of our pupils.
• Ensuring parents/carers 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 support with their attendance.
• Working collaboratively with other schools in the area, as well as other agencies.

Why is it so important to attend every day?

Learning is a progressive activity; each day’s lessons build upon those of the previous day(s), building on children's knowledge and skills. 

Many classes use discussions, demonstrations, experiments and participation as part of the daily learning activities, and these cannot be made up by those who are absent. Pupils learn through actively taking part. 

Are there other benefits to my child? 

Pupils with good attendance records generally achieve better outcomes over time and enjoy school more.

Having a good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life and help prepare them for adulthood.

Regular school attendance patterns encourage the development of other responsible patterns of behaviour including independence skills and life skills. 

What are the risks of frequent absences?

A child who does not attend school regularly will be unlikely to keep up with the work, and will miss essential learning which helps build their knowledge and skills.  

The more pupils miss school, the lower their academic outcomes. They may then want to be in school less. 

What can parents do to help?

Parents must model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance.

Make sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time-you will establish a good habit that they will carry through life.

If your child starts missing school, work with the school to put things right. Make sure your child understands that you do not approve of him/her missing school.

If your child is ill or must miss school for some other reason, contact school immediately. 

Do not expect school to approve of shopping trips, birthday treats etc. during school hours. Arrange family holidays/events so that your child will not miss any learning.

Take an interest in your child’s school work and be involved in the school as much as possible- your child will value school more if you do.

REMEMBER – Regular attendance is necessary for success in school. Help ensure that your child has the best opportunity for success by making sure he/she is in school every day.

Please read the following updates regarding the importance of attendance and school attendance policy updates. 

Our attendance policy can be found at the following link:

• Policies

Further Information for Parents and Carers

Attendance at school is, in most cases, one of the most important factors that effects the chances of success at school. We continue to work hard to support our learners and their families in having good attendance at school.

We hope that you find the following helpful in supporting us in improving attendance even further.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What do I do if my child is not well enough to come to school?
If your child is ill or absent for any reason, contact the school on the attendance line on the first day of absence 0115 9155815. You may be asked to provide evidence of absence in most case. 

Q. What should I do if my child has a medical appointment during school time?
If you know the date and time for a hospital appointment please inform the school in advance. However, you should try to make routine appointments such as dental check-ups during the school holidays or after school. You will be asked to sign your child in and out of the school and this information will be recorded on our attendance system. You may be asked to provide evidence of absence in most case. 

Q. Can I take my child on holiday during term time?
At Rosehill School we do not authorise holidays for pupils in term time. The Headteacher and Governing Body will only consider cases for leave in term time, if there is an exceptional circumstance. The schools policy, provides further information regarding such circumstances. This can be found following the link at the bottom of this page.

Parents and Carers should note that the 'Leave of Absence Form' must be returned to the Headteacher no less than 20 days prior to the requested leave of absence. The Headteacher will consider all requests, however there is no guarantee that requests will be authorised.

Q. What is an authorised absence?
Authorised absence means the school is satisfied with the explanation provided. You may be asked to provide medical evidence of future absences. 

Q. What is an unauthorised absence?
Unauthorised absence means the school does not accept the reason provided or the reason does not comply with government guidelines. Unauthorised absences can result in parents being prosecuted - see the schools policy for further information. Parents and carers are asked to contact the school regarding an absence following the procedures outline above. 

Q. What is a persistent absence (pa)?
A persistent absentee (PA) is any pupil who has accumulated higher levels of authorised or unauthorised absence. 

Q. What happens if my child does not attend school regularly?
As a parent/carer, you are committing an offence if you fail to make sure that your child attends school regularly.

Q. What can I do as a parent to help?
If your child misses school regularly or is unhappy at school, you should contact school as soon as possible so that we can work with you to resolve difficulties. We understand that many of our children and young people require additional support from social care, health services and/or other extended teams, therefore we ensure we coordinate and facilitate support to benefit pupil outcomes. 

Educational Welfare Service

Rosehill School works closely with Nottingham City Educational Welfare Services. The Educational Welfare Service work to raise achievement levels by working with pupils, parents and schools, other agencies and the community, to improve the attendance of the city pupils. Also, they work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

If you need to request a leave of absence under exceptional circumstances, please fill out the form below and return to the school. This form must be completed, signed and returned by the parent or carer.