Attendance

Statistics show that if a child has an excellent attendance record they achieve better exam grades and are more likely to get the job of their choice.

Parents and teaching staff have a duty and responsibility to encourage pupils to  attend regularly in order to achieve their full potential.

Thanks to the continued support of parents, Brynmawr Foundation School achieved the highest attendance rate in Blaenau Gwent for the last academic year.

Unfortunately, it is still necessary for us to issue fines for holidays and non-attendance.

Please be reminded:

• Holidays in term-time will not be authorised and that you may be liable for a fine.
• If your child has more than five days of absence in any one term without medical evidence you may receive a fine.
• You should endeavour to make medical appointments out of school time where possible.
• Please call the school before 9.30am whenever your child is absent to provide the reason. 
• Attendance is required right up until the end of terms.

What can you do to help your child?

• Ensure your child arrives on time at school each day.
• Ensure that your child only misses school for reasons which are unavoidable or justified such as genuine illness, days of religious observance and bereavements etc.
• Ensure your child goes to sleep early on school days to wake refreshed the next morning and ready for the day ahead.
• Communicate with us! It is important that if you are concerned about the reasons that your child may be reluctant to attend school that you contact us so that we can put support in place.

Attendance Team

Should you have any attendance queries then please do not hesitate to contact one of our attendance team:

• Mr P Edwards - Assistant Headteacher
• Mrs K Myatt - Attendance Officer
• Mrs W Lane - Education Welfare Officer

Reporting Absence

If your child will be absent from school you must contact the school by telephone before 9:30am on the morning of any absence.

We use an automated "Truancy Call" system that will call you asking to explain a child's absence, if we receive no response then the attendance officer may visit your home to ascertain why your child is absent.

Illness

Should your child have more than 10 sessions (5 school days) of absence during any term (as a single absence or separate days) then future absence will not be authorised unless a medical letter is received by the school and you may become liable for a Fixed Penalty Notice.   

Medical/Dental Appointments

We encourage parents to make appointments outside of school hours. Where this is not possible we encourage you to make appointments in the afternoon leaving the school after 12pm will have less impact on their attendance.

The appointment card or letter must be shown to reception or the absence will be marked as unauthorised.

Term Time Holidays

Parents should not take children on holiday during term time.

Schools can only agree to absence for a family holiday if they believe there are exceptional circumstances which warrant it.

You must obtain a holiday request from reception which must be returned prior to any holiday.

If your child’s attendance is below 95% in the current or previous academic year then you will be issued a fixed penalty of £60 per parent per child for holidays taken during term time.