At Beckfoot Phoenix, we understand that barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates, and are often specific to individual pupils and families. We therefore want to ensure that we support our pupils and their families to attend school regularly by making Beckfoot Phoenix a place where pupils want to be. We are committed to creating an environment that is calm, safe and supportive, where all students can enjoy belonging, be ready to learn, and be determined to succeed.
Our Expectations
- Students will attend school every day or as regularly as they can
- Students will be on time to school
- Students will always be prepared for school by having enough sleep, wearing the correct uniform, and having the right equipment
Students meeting these expectations will achieve well, be protected from risk of harm, and secure and maintain positive friendships with their peers at school.
Attendance and Punctuality Policy
Key contacts
Attendance is everyone’s business, and all members of our staff understand they they have a role to play in supporting good attendance. To learn more about our key contacts roles and responsibilities, please view our local attendance protocol.
- Gemma Wilson – Senior Attendance Champion
- Jessica Bromwich – Attendance Officer
- Paula Homer – Attendance Officer
- Jason Patefield – Family Liaison Contact
- Sarah Lloyd – Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead
What do I do if my child is not well enough to come to school?
If your child isn’t well enough to attend school, please phone us on 01535 607038 or email us at [email protected] before 8:00am to inform us with your child’s name and the reason for their absence.
When a child is absent and no reason has been provided by the parent or carer, contact will be made by the attendance team to establish the whereabouts of the pupil. All available emergency contacts may be called so that we can ensure that our learner is safe and to offer signposts to necessary support if required. Home visits may be carried out for safeguarding checks and to offer support where needed.
Our Attendance Team work really hard to support students and often identify patterns of non-attendance. They will always work with parents and carers to understand these patterns and see how they can be improved.
We recognise that there may be occasions where considerations must be made for any young person who may have a disability or specific circumstances. Reasonable adjustments will be made and implemented where deemed necessary. Please view our Trust Medical Needs Policy to learn more about how we identify and remove any barriers to attendance.
Medical and dental appointments
Medical and dental appointments should be made before or after school wherever possible, however, if an appointment is required during school hours, school should be made aware in advance and their must be provision of some evidence to authorise the absence.
Holidays in term time
Holidays in term times will not be authorised by Beckfoot Phoenix and could lead to penalty notices and fines being issued. These will be issued to the parent/carer liable for the attendance offence.
Punctuality
School starts at 9am and children must arrive no later than 9.10am, after this time students will receive a late mark on the register. Any students who arrive more than 30 minutes late will be marked as an unauthorised absence unless a suitable reason is provided.
We understand that sometimes children may be late due to unforeseen circumstances, learners will always receive a friendly welcome when they get to school late. Please alert as soon as possible if you think your child is going to be late.
Recognising good attendance at Beckfoot Phoenix
At Beckfoot Phoenix, we will recognise good attendance and celebrate this with our pupils and their families, this includes:
- Attendance is celebrated and reported to parents through the yearly EHCP, end of year reports, and termly parent meetings
- Messages will be sent to parents to on ClassDojo to celebrate good and improved attendance
- Celebration assemblies for students with good or improved attendance
How will we support you?
- We will build close and productive relationships with families to ensure that any attendance issues can be tackled and any barriers to attendance are removed.
- Creating intervention or reintegration plans in partnership with our pupils and their parents/carers.
- Encourage good attendance by making our classrooms and school a place where all pupils can and want to be.