Attendance Policy
Introduction:
Changing social habits and patterns necessitated the updating of the school’s attendance policy. The redrafting was a collaborative school process involving staff and Board of Management, following initial drafting by a representative group.
Rationale:
The main factors contributing to the formulation of a revised policy can be summarised as follows;
- The changing fabric of society
- The influx of non-nationals
- The role of Tusla
- Levels of disadvantage
- Legislative requirements such as the Education Welfare Act 2000
- Changing attitudes to education
Aims and Objectives:
The revised policy is geared towards;
- Encouraging full attendance where possible
- Identifying pupils at risk
- Promoting a positive learning environment
- Enabling learning opportunities to be availed of
- Raising awareness of the importance of school attendance
- Fostering an appreciation of learning
Compliance with School Ethos:
This policy complements the school ethos of nurturing potential in a caring environment where the welfare of children is paramount.
Roles and Responsibilities:
All staff have an input into the implementation of the policy. Class teachers record individual patterns of attendance and the school secretarial staff make returns to Tusla. The Principal has responsibility for maintaining the Leabhar Tinrimh.
Policy Content
Recording:
Individual school attendance is recorded in the Leabhar Rolla and the class data is recorded in the Leabhar Tinreamh. All children attending are recorded in the Pupil Online Database (POD).
A note from parents/guardians is required to cover each absence and these are dated and kept in a central location. Parents are made aware of the requirements of Tusla particularly the bye law relating to absences of more than 20 days per school year.
School Strategies:
Traditionally, school attendance is strong in our school and has not been adversely affected by social changes. However, staff remains vigilant so that risk students are identified early. Risk students can be categorised as those who miss more than 5 days in a 20 day period without an accompanying note of explanation from parents/guardians. Appropriate contact takes place between the school and parents/guardians via either a letter or a note in the homework diary when this occurs. A meeting between parents and the Principal may be set up if deemed necessary. Absences of more than 20 days are automatically referred to Tusla.
Communication with other Schools:
- When a child transfers from Shraheen National School to another school, the school’s records on attendance, academic progress etc will be forwarded on receipt of written notification of the transfer
- When a child transfers into Shraheen National School confirmation of transfer will be communicated to the child’s previous school, and appropriate records sought
- Pupils transferring from Shraheen National School to a Post Primary school will have their records forwarded on receipt of confirmation of enrolment
Communication with Parents:
Each parent receives a copy of the Attendance Policy on enrolment, and it is alasoavailable for viewing on the school blog.
Promoting Attendance:
The school promotes good attendance by;
- Creating a safe and welcoming environment
- Ensuring children are happy
- Displaying kindness, compassion and understanding
- Being vigilant so that risks to good attendance such as disadvantage, bullying etc. are identified early
- Sometimes rewarding good attendance with certificates.
Tusla
The Education Welfare Officer is informed if;
- A child is expelled
- A child is suspended
- A child has missed more than 20 days
Tusla is furnished with the total attendances in the school year through the Annual Report Form which is completed on-line.
Evaluation
The success of any Attendance policy is measured through;
- Improved attendance levels
- Happy confident well adjusted children
- Positive parental feedback
- Teacher vigilance
Implementation/Ratification and Review:
This policy has been in operation in Shraheen National School since 25th June 2012 and was updated in September 2017. It will be reviewed again in 2019.