Attendance
"If a child isn't here, our school isn't complete."
Regular attendance at school is vital to help children achieve and get the best possible start in life.
Children who frequently miss school often fall behind. There is a strong link between good school attendance and achieving good results.
CVIS has its own attendance policy and keeps accurate records of pupil attendance. We contact parents directly if we have any concerns about a child’s attendance.
Your responsibilities as a parent
All children aged between 5 and 16 are required by law to receive an education, and it is the duty of parents and carers to ensure that they are supported to do so. Children sometimes have to miss school because of illness or if they have long term medical issues. If this is the case, parents should contact school the same day to let them know the reason that their child is not in school.
School attendance is very important to us
As part of the DfE measures introduced in August 2024, if a pupil has 10 or more unauthorised session absences within 10 school weeks, the pupil’s parent(s)/carer(s) may receive a ‘Notice to Improve’ notification.
Unauthorised absences include:
- unauthorised absence (where there is no reasonable circumstance for the absence taking place)
- arriving late after the register has closed
- a combination of these with holidays taken during term time
These 10 weeks can span different terms, academic years, and even different educational settings, such as transitions to secondary school or in-year school changes. For instance, if your child misses 3 days of school for a holiday in July (6 sessions) and is late after the register closes on 4 occasions (4 sessions) between September and October, you may be issued a ‘Notice to Improve’ notification.
The ‘Notice to Improve’ notification will set out the expectations and period notice for the improvement of attendance such as 'no further unauthorised absences'. Should the expectations not be met in the improvement period, then a Penalty Notice may then be requested by the school and issued by the LA to each parent/carer responsible for the child.
Any holiday-related absence taken that includes 10 sessions in 10 weeks, may result in an immediate Penalty Notice. In this instance, a ‘Notice to Improve’ notification will not be issued beforehand. Please note – 1 session is 1 registration period (half a day). Therefore, a 5-day holiday would equate to 10 sessions.
For unavoidable, pre-planned absences such as close family weddings, funerals or recognised religious festivals, please request an absence form from the school office. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks in advance wherever possible.