Pupil Attendance Strategy

Introduction

This policy document was drawn up to ensure and maintain a high level of attendance at school by all pupils. This strategy Statement was prepared in consultation with staff, parents, pupils and Board of Management.

Rationale:

The policy was drafted for the following reasons:

· The Board of Management wishes to comply with legislation such as:

o The Education Act 1998

o The Education Welfare Act, 2000

· The Board of Management wishes to promote and encourage regular attendance as an essential factor in our pupils leaving.

Rewarding of students with good Attendance.

Targeting school attendance is part of our school action plan. Students with good attendance may be rewarded in the following ways:

· Presenting certificates and prizes to pupils who have full attendance at the end of the school year.

· Presenting homework passes at the end of each term to pupils who have 98% attendance (or more).

· Presenting pupils who have full attendance with homework pass and small prize at the end of each term:

Stategies for Improving Attendance:

· The school curriculum, insofar as is practicable, will be flexible and relevant to the needs of the individual child.

· Cloonakilla will promote development of good self-esteem and self-worth in its pupils

· Support for pupils who have special educational needs in accordance with DES guidelines.

· Attendance rates of pupils will be monitored by the class teacher in the first instance who will then notify the Deputy Principal of any concerns regarding the attendance of any pupil. Where concerns arise the Deputy Principal assesses each case individually and at this point a phone-call to parents/guardians may be deemed necessary. Attendance records from Aladdin will be monitored year on year and pupils that continue to have non-attendances will be referred to the Attendance Officer.

· The class teacher will encourage pupils to attend regularly and punctually.

· The class teacher will ensure that a daily record of attendance is kept on Aladdin.

· The roll call is taken at 10.30am each morning and entered on Aladdin. Any pupil not present at this time will be marked absent unless this absence is preceded by a note of explanation from parents

· Early Intervention-targeting new parents to inform them of procedures in relation to attendance and the importance of it.

· The Deputy Principal will inform the NEWB:

o When a pupil has been missing for twenty or more days during the year.

o This is communicated to parents, in written form after 20 absences as per TUSLA requirements

· Teachers communicate the effects of non-attendance on pupils learning by means of Parent/Teacher Meeting and school reports

· Parents will be notified by text when their child has been 15 days absent.

Ø Identification of students who are at risk of developing School Attendance Problems

The following strategies may be employed to identify students at risk of developing school attendance problems

On transfer to Cloonakilla, attendance records will be sought from previous schools on pupil attendance

Class teachers will inform Principal/Deputy Principal of any concerns regarding the attendance of any pupil.

Contact with various agencies who are involved with such pupils

Ø Establishment of Closer Contacts between school and home

· Quarterly newsletters to families reminding parents of the importance of good attendance

· Availability of Principal/Deputy Principal on yard 9.00 – 9.20 am and 2.50 to 3.10 pm every day

· Attendance at school events (concerts, Green School, Science Show, Mass etc…)

· Active Parents Association

Ø Identification of Aspects and Strategies:

The BOM, teachers and whole school community will be mindful at all times of:

· The identification of aspects of the operation and management of the school and of the teaching of the school curricular that may contribute to problems relating to school attendance on the part of certain students

· The identification of strategies for the removal of those aspects in so far as they are not necessary or expedient for the proper and effective running of the school having regard, in particular to the educational needs of students

· The identification of strategies that will encourage more regular attendance at school

· The need to review this strategy into the future to accommodate the changing needs of the school and of its population.

Review & Ratification

This statement of strategy was reviewed in January 2021 and will be again reviewed in 2024 unless legislation or circumstances determine otherwise.

Signed: _________________ Chairperson, Board of Management Date: ________________