ATTENDANCE

The target attendance figure for all pupils is a minimum of 97% attendance. Based on current attendance figures your child will be placed in one of the following groups below. 

At Redland Green School, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and thrive in their educational journey. Consistent attendance is a vital part of this success. When students attend school regularly, they gain the full benefits of our engaging curriculum, build lasting relationships with peers, and develop the essential skills they need for future success.  

Unauthorised Absences and Penalty Charge Notices

The Importance of Regular Attendance

Regular school attendance is crucial for several reasons:  

• Academic Achievement: Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well academically and stay on track with their studies.  
• Social Skills: Being present in school helps students build strong social skills and friendships.  
• Routine and Structure: Regular attendance fosters a sense of routine and structure, which is important for students' overall well-being and development.  

How You Can Help

Parents and carers can play a crucial role in improving attendance by: 

• Encouraging Punctuality: Ensure your child arrives at school on time every day.  
• Communicating: Inform the school promptly about any absences by emailing student-absence@redlandegreen.bristol.sch.uk or calling the student absence line on 0117 353 3190   
• Supporting Routine: Establish a regular routine at home that prioritises education and attendance.  
• Engaging: Stay engaged with your child's education by attending parent-teacher meetings and staying informed about their progress.

Our Commitment to Improving Attendance

In line with the Department for Education's new guidance on "Working Together to Improve School Attendance," we are dedicated to creating a supportive environment that encourages and rewards regular attendance. Here’s how we are working together to achieve this:  

• Partnership with Parents and Carers: We recognise the vital role parents and carers play in ensuring their children attend school regularly. We are committed to working closely with families to address any barriers to attendance and provide the necessary support.  
• Early Intervention: Identifying and addressing attendance issues early can prevent them from becoming more serious. We have systems in place to monitor attendance and intervene promptly when necessary.  
• Positive Reinforcement: We celebrate and reward good attendance through various initiatives and recognition programmes. Our goal is to motivate students to maintain consistent attendance.  
• Tailored Support: Understanding that each student's situation is unique, we offer personalised support to address specific attendance challenges. This may include one-on-one meetings, mentoring, and where appropriate access to internal and external support services.  

Together, we can make a difference in every student’s educational experience! 

Working Together for Success

At Redland Green School, we are committed to working together with students, parents, and the community to improve school attendance. Everyday counts, and together we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.  

We are here to help! If you have any concerns or need assistance with your child's attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. 

Useful Resources

• Bristol City Council - Penalty Notices for Unauthorised Absences 
• Attendance - What the new rules mean for me
• DfE Working Together to Improve Attendance  
• Is my child too ill for school?  

Top-Tips for Improving Attendance:

• Ensure your child attends every day, on time, equipped and ready to learn. Lesson time begins at 8.45am and students should be in the building by 8.40am. Students arriving after 9.45am may be marked absent and will require an explanatory note or the absence will remain un-authorised.
• Ensure school has up-to-date addresses and telephone numbers. We will contact you if your child is absent and you have not contacted school. This ensures that the absence is quickly identified.
• If your child is ill, contact school on the first day of absence and provide an explanatory note on their return to school. 
• If you wish to check that your child has arrived at school contact the school’s Attendance Officer, Melanie Francombe. She will inform you if your child has been registered.
• If no contact is received regarding the absence, it is recorded as un-authorised. Ultimately school is responsible for deciding if the absence is acceptable or not. Only genuine absence will be authorised. You will be asked to provide medical certificates if your child has a poor attendance record.
• Ensure that medical appointments are made outside of school time.
• Avoid trivial absences such as, ‘buying new shoes’. This would not be accepted as a reasonable absence.
• Holidays should not be taken in school time. Any Leave of Absence can only be agreed by the Head Teacher and only agreed where there are exceptional circumstances.
• Respond to letters or telephone calls regarding attendance and punctuality.
• Contact your child’s form tutor if you are experiencing difficulty in getting your child into school.