At Higham Lane North Academy we know that pupils who achieve a high level of attendance and punctuality will benefit the most from school. Our aim is to protect learning and challenge absence, where appropriate, to ensure our pupils’ social and emotional development, educational outcomes and academic success.

Percentage Attendance	Attendance Description	Number of days missed in a year
100%	Outstanding Attendance	Zero days missed in a year
98-99%	Good attendance	Missing up to 4 school days a year
97%	Expected attendance	Missing up to 6 school days a year
96-95%	Area for improvement	Missing up to 10 school days a year
94% - 93%	Area of concern	Missing up to 13 school day a year
92% - 90%	Unsatisfactory	Missing up to 20 school days a year
Below 90%	Serious Concern	Missing 20+ school days a year

 

We have an effective whole school culture for high attendance that is underpinned by clear expectations for all pupils to attend school every day, where possible, to support the whole school attendance target of 98%.  At Higham Lane North Academy our school motto is, ‘everyone belongs and everyone is included,’ to ensure that we value all pupils, make them feel welcome and make them feel that they belong.   It is important that our pupils know that they will be missed when they are absent or late and we have a range of strategies that we implement following an absence to understand if we need to work together to ensure HLNA is a school where every child is happy to attend.  

It is essential that your child aims for excellent attendance. As part of our Home-School partnership, families are required to ensure the following:

• Make sure their child attends every timetabled session of each day on time
• Call the school to report their child’s absence before 0830 on the day of the absence and each subsequent day of absence, and advise when they are expected to return
• Provide the school with more than 1 emergency contact number for their child
• Ensure that, where possible, appointments for their child are made outside of the school day
•  Keep to any attendance contracts that they make with the school and/or local authority
• Seek support, where necessary, for maintaining good attendance, by contacting their child’s Head of Year who can be contacted via the school’s telephone number and/or email address. 

How to report a child’s absence

If your child is too unwell to attend, you must contact the school on 02476 106910 between 08:00 and 08:30 in the morning.   A member of our team will answer your call where you can provide a reason for your child’s absence.  You will need to call the school between 08:00 and 08:30 in the morning on each day of absence.

 

Leave of Absence

The law states a leave of absence may only be granted by Higham Lane North Academy if an application is made in advance and  if the school considers there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application. Generally, a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not constitute an exceptional circumstance.

• A leave of absence is granted entirely at the school’s discretion. Permission for a Leave of Absence from Higham Lane North Academy may only be given by an authorised person. At Higham Lane North Academy the only people authorised to grant a leave of absence are the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher.
• When making a decision we judge each application individually considering the specific facts and circumstances and relevant background context behind each request.
• Generally, a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not constitute an exceptional circumstance.
• Where a leave of absence is granted, the school will determine the number of days a pupil can be absent from school.
• When making an application for Leave of Absence parents are advised to give sufficient information and time to allow the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher the opportunity to consider all the exceptional circumstances and to notify the parents of their decision. The school may also request further information on the application and supporting documentation where appropriate.

To apply for a leave of absence at Higham Lane North Academy, you must complete the Warwickshire County Council Leave of Absence Application Form and submit it to the school with at least three weeks' notice. 

How to apply for a leave of absence 

1. Complete the form: Download and fill out the Warwickshire County Council Leave of Absence Application Form.
2. Submit the form: Send the completed form to Higham Lane North Academy.
3. Provide sufficient notice: Submit the form at least three weeks before the proposed absence.

Criteria for granting a leave of absence

• Exceptional circumstances: The absence must be for exceptional, unforeseen circumstances, such as a family member's terminal illness, a death, or significant sporting commitments.
• Unlikely to reoccur: The Headteacher must be convinced that the absence is highly unlikely to happen again.
• No negative impact: The Headteacher must be confident that the absence will not negatively affect the pupil's education.

Generally, a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not constitute an exceptional circumstance.

• It is advised that if the resident parent has not received notification or a response regarding the leave of absence application, it is their responsibility to ascertain if the leave is authorised prior to the start of the leave.
• The school can only consider applications for Leave of Absence which are made by the resident parent. i.e the parent with whom the child normally resides.
• Where applications for Leave of Absences are made in advance and refused, the child is expected to be in school on the dates set out in the application. If the child is absent during that period, it will be recorded as an “unauthorised” absence. Where a leave of absence is requested but additional days take either prior to or after the request, they may be considered as part of the leave of absence.
• Leave of Absences which are not made in advance cannot be authorised in line with legislation.  This will result in the absence being recorded as ‘unauthorised’.
• All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of Absence will be referred to the Warwickshire Attendance Service of Warwickshire County Council. Penalty notices are issued in accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices and in the first instance, as an alternative to prosecution proceedings.
• Where a Penalty Notice is not paid within the timeframe set out in that Notice, the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider instigating criminal prosecution proceedings under S444 of Education Act 1996.

Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent child, (for example 2 children and 2 parents, means each parent will receive 2 invoices – 4 in total). 

• First Leave of Absence Offence:  The amount of £160 to be paid within 28 days, this is reduced to £80 each child if paid within 21 days.
• Second Leave of Absence Offence within a 3 year period (from the date of issue of the first penalty notice): The amount of £160 paid within 28 days.  No reduced amount.
• Third Leave of Absence offence within a 3 year period (from the date of issue of the first penalty notice). A Penalty Notice will not be issued and the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider instigating criminal prosecution proceedings under S444 of Education Act 1996.