Attendance Policy (Fraværsreglement)
Attendance Policy for the Primary and Secondary School(Fraværsreglement for grunnskolen)
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Norwegian School is committed to providing a high quality education for all pupils. The School recognises this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent school attendance for all. This is based on the belief that only by attending school regularly and punctually will children and young people be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. High attainment depends on good attendance.
1.2 Pupils, parents and carers, teaching and support staff, and school governors have a responsibility for ensuring good school attendance.
1.3 This policy has been drawn up based on current English and Norwegian Government and Local Authority guidance and regulations.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 The prime responsibility for ensuring children receive an appropriate and full-time education rests with their parents or carers, who will be supported and encouraged by the School.
2.2 Parents will also be expected to:
- notify the School on the first day of absence by phone or e-mail.
- ensure their children arrive at school on time.
2.3 All pupils should be aware of the importance of regular school attendance. If they are having difficulties that may prevent them from attending school regularly, they should speak to their class teacher.
2.4 Pupils should attend all their lessons on time, ready to learn. If they have been absent from school they should give their class teacher a note from their parents to explain the absence. Pupils also have a responsibility for reporting to the School Office if they arrive late.
2.5 All staff (teaching and support) at the School have a key role to play in supporting and promoting school attendance and will work to provide an environment in which all our pupils are eager to learn, feel valued and look forward to coming to school every day.
2.6 The school is required to mark the Attendance Register twice each day; once at the start of the day (usually at 8:45 a.m.) and once during the afternoon session (usually at 12:15 p.m.). Classroom teachers are responsible for completing the attendance registers.
2.7 The School will call on the first day if a pupil is absent without explanation to establish a reason for the absence. This helps to identify at an early stage pupils who do not have a good reason for absence or who may be absent without their parents’ knowledge.
2.8 The Governors shall make arrangements for ensuring that the conduct of the school is exercised with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
3. ABSENCE AND ADDITIONAL LEAVE
3.1 The School will accept the following reasons for absence:
- Illness
- Emergency dental or medical appointment (please make routine appointments after school or during the holidays when possible)
- Day of religious observance
- Family bereavement
- Family holidays in exceptional circumstances when prior approval has been given
3.2 Except in the case of illness, parents or carers should ask for permission for the child to miss school well in advance, giving full details.
3.3 The Class Teacher may authorise one day’s additional leave.
3.4 The Head Teacher may on discretion authorise two or more days of additional leave, however not exceeding 10 days during one School Year.
3.5 The School will not authorise additional leave during periods of national tests or exams.
3.6 Where additional leave of absence is granted there will be an expectation that the pupil undertakes some schoolwork during this period.
3.7 Overlap with beginning or end of term should be avoided when possible.
3.8 In cases of recurring absences through illness the parents may be asked to produce a medical certificate.
4. CONSEQUENCES OF ABSENCE
4.1 For pupils in year 8-10 unauthorised absence may lead to a bad grade in Order. This is subject to Norwegian regulations and explained further in the School Code of Conduct.
4.2 For pupils in year 8-10 absence will be recorded on the Secondary School Certificate (“vitnemål”). This is subject to Norwegian regulations.
4.3 Where there is an emerging pattern to a pupil’s absence over a 3 to 4 week period (or sooner if staff are particularly concerned), with or without explanation, the school will invite parents to a meeting to discuss the reasons for the absences. Plans should be put in place with the parents and pupil to resolve any difficulties and improve the attendance within a specified time limit – usually no more than 6 weeks. It will be explained to parents that any future absences will be unauthorised unless there is clear evidence of a good reason for them.
4.4 If there continue to be unauthorised absences by the end of the specific time (or sooner if the pupil is failing to attend school at all), the matter will be referred to the Education Welfare Service of Merton Council.
5. COMPLAINTS
5.1 Any complaints on the enforcement of this policy shall be subject to the School Complaints Procedure.
Approved by the Board of Governors on 19th January 2012.