At Exhall Cedars Infant Nursery and Preschool we are committed to help parents understand that it is important  that you and your child develop a positive attitude to school attendance and punctuality so that they do not miss out on the opportunities at school. These qualities of reliability are also important in adult life.

We work hard as a school to help your child maintain a good level of attendance in order for them to achieve the very best that they can in their learning.  

Attendance in Nursery will be monitored in exactly the same way as the rest of the school. Parents/Carers will be reminded of their commitment to send their child regularly to Nursery.

Mr Lee Groom - Attendance Governor  

Mrs Anna Winter - Attendance Champion

Reporting Absences

If your child is going to be absent from school, the parent/carer must inform the school before 9.00am (11.30am for afternoon Preschool/Nursery sessions) of the reason for the absence following way: 

• 24 hours Absence Line on 02476316034 option 1
• Email admin2635@welearn365.com
• In writing

Please avoid calling the office to speak to the member of staff between 8.30am - 9.30am to report your child's absence. Please use one of the options listed above. 

At Exhall Cedars Infant and Nursery School, we adhere to the ‘Warwickshire School’s Health Directory.’

Please visit Warwickshire School Health and Wellbeing Service for more details.

Punctuality

It is a well known fact that missed schooling is a lost education.  Lateness can also contribute to this.

School attendance is mandatory for all pupils of compulsory school age and it is a priority to ensure that as many children as possible regularly on time attend school. 

Children are deemed as late if they arrive after 8.50am and will need to be come in through the main office and signed in the late.

If a child arrives after 9.20am, they will be deemed as being absent for that morning. 

Nursery children are deemed as late if they arrive after 8.35am and after 12.10pm for the afternoon Poppy class.  

Late collection charge applies after 3.20pm and after 11.30am and 3.05pm for Nursery as per our Charging Policy. 

Leave of absence

The Headteacher is unable to authorise requests from parents to take children on a family holiday during the school term.

Only in exceptional circumstances may absences be agreed. If the absence is not agreed and is still taken it will be classified as an unauthorised absence and may be referred to the Warwickshire Attendance Service team  (WAS) in Warwickshire County Council who may impose a fixed Penalty Notice and/ or prosecute.

If you do need to take your child out of school during term time we ask you to complete an official form

For more information please read Warwickshire County Council Fixed Penalty Notice

The ‘Policy for Attendance and Punctuality’ is available in the ‘Our Policies’ section on our website.

Suspensions and Exclusions

Suspensions and Exclusions from school are never a pleasant experience, however our Suspension & Exclusion-leaflet gives parents the information and guidelines required if your child is excluded.

You can find more information on www.warwickshire.gov.uk/exclusions

School Exclusions: A Helpful Guide for Parents, Guardians and Carers - YouTube video available HERE 

The Strategic Approach

Exhall Cedars School adopts the 5 Foundations of Effective Attendance Practice framework, this is modelled on the work of Professor Katherine Weare. The emphasis is on developing a school culture and climate which builds a sense of connectedness and belonging to ensure all children can attend school and thrive.  The approach ensures we prioritise building solid working relationships with children / parents prior to any escalation.  The staged approach we use ensures we identify triggers early that can lead to poor attendance issues such as; mental health issues, lack of trust, communication and relationship breakdowns and the possible lack of networking opportunities both internal (in-school) and external (external agencies).

The Foundations framework has most recently been reviewed by the Department for Education.  The Foundations framework received an excellent report following the four-day review. 

“The Foundations approach is an excellent example of best practice; there are very clear and detailed systems and procedures in place to manage absence and attendance consistently”. 

(Michelle O’Dell DFE Attendance Advisor March 2022)

Aims of the strategy

• Increase school Attendance and reduce Persistent Absence to meet set targets.
• Ensure Attendance is well managed within the school, with the appropriate level of resources allocated.
• Enable the school to make informed use of Attendance data to target interventions appropriately, focusing on the key demographic groups highlighted in the 2022 DFE paper.

Objectives 

Create an ethos within the school in which good attendance is recognised as the norm and every child/young person aims for excellent attendance.

make attendance and punctuality a priority.

set focused targets to improve individual attendance and whole school attendance levels.

embed the 5 Foundations of Effective Attendance Practice framework which defines agreed roles and responsibilities and promotes consistency in carrying out designated tasks with respect to promoting attendance and punctuality.

record and monitor attendance and absenteeism and apply appropriate strategies to minimise absenteeism.

develop a systematic approach to gathering and analysing relevant attendance data.

provide support, advice and guidance to; parents, children and young people and develop mutual cooperation between home and the school in encouraging good attendance and in addressing identified attendance issues.

demonstrate through the use of rewards that the school recognises good attendance and punctuality are achievements in themselves.

The school has a fully embedded ethos in which excellent school attendance is expected, developed and nurtured. The escalated approach to supporting attendance is built on foundations of belonging and connectedness.

The approach to improving attendance is built on clear policies, systems and processes. This ensures continuous and sustainable improvement drives attendance practice.  The attendance policy is understood by all stakeholders and allows the school to set, and maintain, high expectations to improve the culture of attendance.

The school prioritises developing a team of attendance experts, with a shared vision and core purpose. The Attendance Leader delivers bespoke training to support all staff to fully understand their role in improving attendance.  External partnerships support attendance improvements through a multi-disciplinary approach for identified children and families.

Data information and analysis direct resources proactively towards key demographic groups and identified individuals.  The expert use of data analysis informs decision making at all levels. The attendance process ensures the Attendance Leader understands the reason for attendance concerns, these barriers can then be successfully supported and removed.

Connecting and belonging drives the school approach to supporting attendance. All staff are supported to understand 'deeper roots' regarding poor attendance concerns.  The school has developed, and embedded, an effective rewards system to further drive attendance improvements and celebrate success.