Read our Attendance Policy here.

At Abbey Gardens School, we recognise and celebrate pupils who attend school regularly and those who make positive improvements in their attendance.

Recognition is given to pupils who:

• Achieve attendance of 95% or above.
• Improve their attendance.
• Work towards an individual attendance target or support plan.

Pupils may also have the opportunity to take part in attendance reward trips and other celebratory activities.

We understand that every pupil’s circumstances are different. Illness is sometimes unavoidable, and some pupils may experience additional barriers linked to medical needs, SEND or Emotion-Based School Avoidance (EBSA). Where appropriate, medically supported absences may be considered separately when determining eligibility for attendance rewards.

Our aim is to encourage progress, celebrate effort and support every pupil to attend as regularly as they are able. Attendance rewards are implemented sensitively and fairly, reflecting each pupil’s individual needs and circumstances.

If your child is unable to attend school, please contact the school before 9:00am on the first day of absence and on every subsequent day that they remain absent.

Please telephone 01284 630926 or email admin@abbeygardensschool.co.uk with:

• Your child’s name.
• The reason for their absence.
• Their expected date of return.
• Any relevant information that may help us support their return to school.

Where possible, medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours. If this is not possible, please provide evidence of the appointment and ensure your child attends school before or after it, where appropriate.

The school will decide whether an absence can be recorded as authorised. If we have not received a reason for an absence, a member of the school team will contact home that day to confirm that the pupil is safe and establish why they are not in school.

We understand that some pupils experience barriers to attendance linked to illness, SEND, mental health needs or Emotion-Based School Avoidance (EBSA). We take a supportive, trauma-informed and neurodivergence-affirming approach. We will work closely with pupils, families and other professionals to understand these barriers and agree appropriate support or a gradual reintegration plan.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your child’s attendance, please contact Maria South, Assistant Headteacher at maria.south@abbeygardensschool.co.uk. Early communication helps us put the right support in place.

A pupil is considered persistently absent when they miss 10% or more of their education, meaning their attendance is below 90%. This includes both authorised and unauthorised absences.

We understand that absence is often a sign of wider difficulties. If a pupil’s attendance falls below 90%, or appears likely to do so, we will work with the pupil, their family and relevant professionals to understand and address the barriers affecting attendance.

Support may include:

• Regular communication with parents and carers.
• Return-to-school meetings following further absences.
• An individual attendance support plan with realistic targets.
• Support from the school’s pastoral team.
• Adjustments linked to SEND, medical needs or Emotion-Based School Avoidance (EBSA).
• Partnership working with the local authority and other agencies, where appropriate.
• An individual incentive programme recognising progress and improved attendance.

Attendance will be monitored carefully alongside the pupil’s progress towards their EHCP outcomes. If attendance continues to decline, parents and carers may be invited to an attendance panel and an attendance contract may be agreed.

Our priority is to work collaboratively with families, provide appropriate support and help every pupil return to regular education safely and successfully. Where support does not lead to improvement, the school may need to involve the local authority and consider further action in accordance with the attendance policy.

Arriving at school on time helps pupils begin the day calmly, take part in morning routines and avoid missing important learning.

The school day begins at 9:10am. Pupils arriving:

• After 9:10am but before 9:40am will be marked as late.
• After 9:40am, when the register has closed, will be recorded as an unauthorised absence for the morning session unless an authorised reason applies.

For example, a pupil attending an agreed early-morning medical appointment may receive the appropriate authorised absence mark. Parents and carers should provide evidence of appointments where possible.

We understand that lateness can sometimes be caused by school transport or other circumstances outside a family’s control. Although this must still be recorded as late, the school will work supportively with families to identify difficulties and help pupils arrive on time.

Where a pattern of lateness develops, we will contact parents or carers to discuss the reasons and agree appropriate support.

OFG Waves of Provision