Attendance
At Eastfield Primary Academy, we believe that every day matters. Good attendance is essential if children are to achieve their full potential, develop positive relationships and make the most of the opportunities available to them.
We are committed to building a culture where attendance is everyone's responsibility. By working in partnership with families, we aim to ensure that every child attends school regularly, feels valued and receives the support they need to thrive. We recognise that there can sometimes be barriers to attendance and our priority is always to identify these early and work alongside families to find solutions. Our dedicated Attendance Team provides support, guidance and, where necessary, access to additional services to help children attend school successfully.
Strong attendance allows children to:
• achieve their best academically;
• build friendships and develop social skills;
• benefit from a broad and enriching curriculum;
• feel part of the school community; and
• develop positive habits that will support them throughout life.
Attendance is a team effort between school, parents, carers and pupils. By working together, we can ensure every child has the best possible opportunity to flourish.
Attendance Team
Attendance Champion: Mrs Kerry Thompson
Attendance Welfare Officer: Mrs Caroline Pell
If you are worried about your child's attendance or need support, please contact the school office. We are committed to working with families to find solutions and ensure every child receives the education they deserve.
Why 95% Attendance Matters
Children whose attendance falls below 95% begin to miss a significant amount of learning. An attendance rate of 95% equates to approximately 9 days of absence across an academic year. We monitor attendance carefully so that we can offer support at the earliest opportunity and prevent children from falling behind.
Persistent Absence
The Government categorises attendance below 90% as persistent absence. This means a child has missed the equivalent of 19 or more school days across an academic year.
Children who are persistently absent are more likely to experience interruptions to their learning, friendships and wider school experiences. Where attendance falls below 90%, we work closely with families to understand barriers, provide support and agree strategies to improve attendance.
Monitoring Attendance:
We follow a very clear system when monitoring attendance:
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Penalty Notices & Prosecution:
As part of government legislation, all schools are required to consider a fine when a child has missed 10 or more sessions (5 days) for unauthorised reasons. From August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country changed:
• First Penalty Notice within a 3 Year Period:
o Each parent will be issued a separate penalty notice, for each child who is absent.
o The fine amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days, reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.
o For example, 2 parents and 3 children - each parent will receive 3 penalty notices for £160 each, with a fine total of £960, if this is paid within 28 days. However, if this is paid within 21 days, the fine amount would be reduced to each £480.
• Second Penalty Notice within a 3 Year Period:
o The next time an offence occurs, within 3 years of the date the first penalty notice is issued, the fine amount will be £160 per parent, per child with no reduction.
o For example, 2 parents and 3 children - each parent will receive 3 penalty notices for £160 each, with a fine total of £960.
• Further Offences within a 3 Year Period:
o The number of Penalty Notices that can be issued to a parent in respect of an individual child will be limited to 2 Notices within any 3-year period. Further offences will need consideration on whether alternative action is required including a prosecution in the Magistrates’ court.
For any further information please see the Attendance Policy or contact the Office to speak to our Attendance Officer.