Victoria School
"Working Together for Success"
Attendance & Absence Procedures
At Victoria school, we recognise that regular and punctual school attendance is essential – only pupils who attend school regularly can take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.
Our aim is that every student should have the highest level of attendance possible, given the complex level of health need or disability.
Whilst we understand that there may be exceptional circumstances for a small number of students who require complex care, we do expect all students to be in school when they are well and able to attend. It is therefore, important that we work together to look at ways to minimise absence and the impact it has on achievement.
What is good attendance?
All students should strive towards achieving at least 95% attendance. Once attendance drops to 90% your child is classed by the Department of Education as being ‘Persistently Absent’.
Attendance during one school year | Equates to number of days absent | Which is approximately this many weeks absent |
95% | 9 days | 2 weeks |
90% | 19 days | 4 weeks |
85% | 29 days | 6 weeks |
80% | 38 days | 8 weeks |
What we do:
As a school, have a duty of care, shared with the Local Authority, to challenge poor attendance. We follow the statutory guidance Working together to improve school attendance and the Support First framework and guidance introduced by the Local Authority in September 2024. We would ask parents to ensure they are aware of their own duty in ensuring their child receives the education they are legally entitled to.
A student with attendance below 85% is of serious concern and may result in parents/carers being invited into school to discuss strategies to overcome any obstacles affecting regular attendance and punctuality.
Monitoring thresholds:
91% or above | Target for all pupils |
90.99%-85% | Bordering persistent absentee letter to be sent (Appendix 10) to draw parents/carers attention to their child's falling attendance. |
84.99%-80% | Attendance concern letter to be sent to parents alerting them to their child’s low attendance, and offering family support (Appendix 11) School will consider implementing an Attendance Improvement Plan. |
Below 80% | Persistent absenteeism letter sent (Appendix 12) Parents will be invited in to discuss concerns and develop an Attendance Improvement Plan. |
In cases of ongoing concern, it may be necessary to make a referral to the Education Legal Intervention Team. For further information regarding the legal process please refer to the Support First frame work and guidance.
What parents can do:
Pupils should arrive at school between 08:50am – 09:30am.
Morning registers open at 09:20am. Pupils arriving after 09:30am will be recorded as ‘Late before registers close’ (code L), pupils arriving after 09:50am will be recorded as ‘Late after registers close’ (code U).
If your child is suffering from a minor ailment such as a cold or a cough please consider sending them to school. If a child is not able to attend school for any reason, please ensure that you inform the school by 9:30am. Please telephone the school office on 0121 476 9478 or email enquiry@victoria.bham.sch.uk. This should be done on each day of absence. In cases of illness, details of any symptoms should also be provided.
Please note that family holidays in term time are not allowed in law and are very unlikely to be authorised. Unauthorised holidays may result in a penalty notice being issued.
If you are concerned about your child’s attendance or would like support and advice please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Pastoral Team, who will be more than happy to offer help and assistance.
Kate Thompson, Pastoral Manager
Clare Whitelaw, Attendance & Admissions Clerk