Attendance
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Attendance
The Education Reform Act (1988) requires all Local Education Authorities to have arrangements for receiving, investigating and resolving complaints about the school curriculum, religious worship and other matters.
The first stage in any complaint is an informal discussion with the Headteacher at the School. Full details of the complaints procedure are available from the School and .
Parents and carers of the students at Pioneer House who are of compulsory school age are required to ensure that they receive sufficient full time education. At Pioneer House we will do all we can to support school attendance and take seriously any issues that may lead to non-attendance. Good school attendance is essential to ensure that all children and young people make the most of the educational opportunities available and achieve their full potential whilst ensuring that all students stay safe. We believe this sets good habits for later in life, and ultimately if your child is not in school they cannot learn!
The School’s responsibility
- School has a legal duty to record the attendance of every pupil, or record them absent or late.
- The register is taken at the beginning of both morning and afternoon sessions.
- If for any reason a pupil has to leave school during the day, school should be informed of this prior to the day.
- All class registers are completed showing the exact reasons for a student’s absence.
- All unexplained absences will be followed up and reported by the school to the Local Authority.
Reporting an absence
Only school can approve absences for students of compulsory age and not parents. Parents are expected to inform school of the reason for a student’s absence, on the first day when possible, either by telephone, by message through the bus escort, by written message or personal contact. If your child has transport please also inform them.
If the student is ill, please notify the school before 9.00am on 0161 241 8100 explaining the nature of the illness and where possible when the student is expected to return. Medical appointments should be notified in advance where possible.
If the student is absent without explanation the school attendance team will make contact with the parent or carer on the same day. Non-attendance is a safeguarding issue. If we fail to make contact, the absence will be followed up by a senior member of staff who may need to involve other agencies.
Leave of absence in term time
We ask parents and carers to think very carefully about taking their children out of school during term-time unless there are very exceptional circumstances. It is important that you are aware that parents do not have a right to take children out of school in term-time. If there are exceptional circumstances then you need to complete a leave of absence request form, which can be obtained from the school office. You may then be asked to meet with a member of the Senior Leadership or Attendance Team to discuss your request. Please make sure the leave is agreed before making any arrangements.
Parents need to be aware that if they take their child out of school without agreement from the Headteacher:
- They can receive a Penalty Notice of £50 rising to £100.
- They can receive a court summons, which can lead to a criminal record and a fine.
- Their child may be at risk of losing their school place.
- The school authorises absences resulting from participation in religious observance by the religious body to which the parent belongs. Students are encouraged to share their experiences as appropriate. The school operates an Attendance Monitoring Book that outlines all communication made regarding student absence.
Attendance
| Document Title |
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| Pioneer House Attendance Document |
Remote Education Offer
At Pioneer House, we know it is important for students to attend school in person to achieve the best possible education and outcomes. We are committed to ensuring that all students can access high-quality education, even when they are unable to attend school in person. We understand that some students may have individual needs requiring short-term or bespoke remote education solutions. Our approach to remote learning is designed to be flexible, personalised, and responsive to the specific circumstances of each student and their family.
When Remote Education is Considered
Remote education will only be considered as a last resort, when attendance at school is not possible. This could be due to medical reasons, short-term illness, recovery from surgery or exceptional cases where a student’s special educational needs or mental health prevent them from attending. In every case, our priority remains to support students’ return to school as soon as possible.
We will work closely with parents, carers and relevant professionals to assess and agree on the most suitable remote education arrangements. These arrangements will be reviewed regularly to ensure they are meeting the student's needs and to facilitate their reintegration into school.
Remote Education Options
Our remote education provision can be tailored to individual students and may include a combination of:
- Online learning via Seesaw: Students can access tasks and activities set by their teachers, which may include videos and independent work tasks.
- Work Packs: For students who may not have consistent access to digital devices or who work better offline, printed work packs can be provided.
- Synchronous (live) learning: Students may join live lessons using MS Teams or engage in real-time interaction with their teachers and classmates through technology. Where appropriate, we can also provide support through the use of an AV1 robot, which allows students to participate in class virtually.
- Non-synchronous learning: This includes recorded lessons or independent tasks that students can complete at their own pace.
- Online resources: This includes teachers directing parents and students to available resources online at a suitable learning level for the individual.
- The format and content of remote education will be tailored to the student's learning needs, ensuring a high-quality, meaningful curriculum that helps them stay on track with their education.
Personalised Support for Students with SEND
We recognise that many students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) may require additional support to engage with remote education. We will work collaboratively with families to create a bespoke learning plan that ensures all students can access education effectively. This may include adjustments to the curriculum or differentiated resources.
All students at Pioneer House have Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plans. We will work closely with the local authority to ensure all statutory duties are met, and that students receive the right support during periods of remote education.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
The safety and wellbeing of our students is paramount. Our remote education provision will follow safeguarding policies to ensure that all students remain safe if they are learning from home. We also encourage regular contact with teachers and peers to support students' emotional and social well-being during remote education.
Contacting the School
If remote education becomes necessary, the school will proactively contact parents and carers to discuss the available options and determine the best approach for each student. We are committed to maintaining open lines of communication with families throughout the period of remote education and are here to provide support and guidance whenever needed.
Please reach out to the school if you have any questions or need to discuss remote education possibilities for your child.
Referenced Guidance: DFE Providing Remote Education: Guidance for schools. 19/08/2024