Attendance
Logging absences on the Parent Portal and Arbor App
"There is a clear relationship between absence from school and poor attainment”
Source: Department for Education
“Higher levels of attainment are associated with greatly reduced levels of absence”
Source: National Foundation for Educational Research.
Outstanding attendance is essential if our pupils are to achieve their full potential. Toynbee School promotes the benefits of excellent attendance and punctuality and we will consistently strive to provide an environment where all students feel valued and welcome. Therefore we will always work towards a goal of 100% attendance for all our pupils
Am I responsible for my child’s attendance at school?
The Law states that: “Parents/Carers are legally required to secure full-time education for children of compulsory school age. A child registered at school must attend regularly and punctually.”
Children with a good school attendance record are setting themselves up for a better future when they leave school. It is important that pupils have good attendance and are punctual. In order to ensure this, it is important that parents reinforce the school’s expectations. Employers want staff who are reliable, so it is in your interest to make sure that your child has a good school attendance record.
Authorised Absences from School:
Illness: Parents should follow the school's illness procedures and contact the school as soon as possible on the first day and each subsequent day, that your child is ill. You will be expected to provide medical evidence for absence of seven days or more. Medical Evidence could constitute an appointment letter, prescription, doctor’s note or a stamped and completed Toynbee Medical Authorisation form.
Medical Appointments: Parents should try to arrange appointments during school holidays, at weekends or after school hours. Naturally, there will be times when this isn't possible but Parents should try to give as much advance warning as possible and bring the appointment letter or card into school.
Religious Festivals & Absence for Exceptional Circumstances: Where possible, please make any applications for absence in advance. A maximum of three days will be considered for religious observance only. All absences of this nature will be at the discretion of the Headteacher.
Absence Requests: All requests for should be sent to the relevant Guidance Manager in the first instance. In all cases, it is the Headteacher’s discretion whether to authorise any absence from school.
Attendance update from the Department for Education
You may be aware that the Department for Education has amended and updated the guidance in respect of attendance: Working together to improve school attendance (applies from 19 August 2024) (publishing.service.gov.uk).
Please can I draw your attention to the following changes within the Hampshire County Council Code of Conduct - Issuing Penalty Notices for unauthorised absence from school
3.5 The Department for Education (DfE) guidance indicates that a Penalty Notice can be issued without warning, for example, where a parent takes a child on holiday during term time without the school authorising the absence.
4.2 The County Council or the schools in Hampshire should issue a Penalty Notice for any of the following unauthorised absences where the pupil has been, within the last six months:
• unauthorised absent for 10 or more half-day sessions (five school days) over 100 possible school sessions – these do not need to be consecutive and can span different school terms and years.
• persistently late (coded U) for 10 or more half-day sessions after the register has been closed – these do not need to be consecutive.
7.2 If paid within 21 days of deemed service the first Penalty Notice within a rolling three-year period is £80. If not paid within 21 days, the penalty is automatically increased to £160 to be paid within 28 days of deemed service of the Penalty Notice.
If paid within 21 days of deemed service the second Penalty Notice within a rolling three-year period is £160.00. There is no option for this second offence to be discharged at the lower rate of £80.