Pupil Attendance
Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School encourages and promotes good attendance in as many ways, and for as many pupils, as we can. Our whole-school approach focuses primarily on promoting attendance, but also addresses the issues of truancy and condoned absence where they occur.
The table below illustrates the consequences of pupil absence:
What does the law say?
- All children of compulsory school age (between 5 and 16) must receive a suitable full time education.
- As a parent, you are responsible for making sure this happens, and you have a vital role in ensuring and promoting regular attendance at school.
- By law, only the school can authorise absence, not parents. School staff need not accept a parental explanation for a child's absence if they consider it inappropriate.
- If your child fails to attend school regularly - even if they miss school without you knowing - the Local Education Authority may take action against you.
Term-time holidays
- By law, schools have the discretion to grant up to ten days of absence in a school year.
- The school will consider each application for absence individually.
- Absences for holidays will NOT be authorised if your child's attendance is below 93%, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Should you wish to apply for a term time absence for your child, please print and complete a holiday form. A link is available at the bottom of this page.
The Education Welfare Service
Education Welfare is a specialist support service, which works in partnership with other agencies to provide a range of services for children and their families, as well as carrying out statutory functions.
Education Welfare Officers
- Support schools, pupils and parents to encourage children to attend regularly.
- Help children overcome problems preventing them attending school.
- Arrange education if a pupil is unable to attend school for weeks / months.
They can also advise parents on:
- Education law/parental rights
- Children changing schools
- School transport policy
- Children in employment
Should you have any concerns regarding your child's attendance, please contact the Education Welfare Officer via the school.