Attendance & Punctuality

At The Observatory School, we believe that every day matters when it comes to education. Regular attendance is essential for pupils to achieve their full potential. Our school motto, “Attend today, achieve tomorrow”, reflects the importance of being present and engaged in school life. We want all of our pupils to have the best possible chances of success, and attendance plays a huge role in making that happen.

Good attendance helps pupils:

  • Stay up to date with lessons and learning.
  • Build stronger relationships with peers and staff.
  • Develop routines and self-discipline that will benefit them in the future.
  • Take advantage of all the support, guidance, and opportunities our school offers.

 

The Government’s 2024 Attendance Policy

The government’s 2024 attendance policy emphasises that regular school attendance is not just important for academic achievement but also for pupils’ well-being and development. Schools are required to monitor attendance closely and work with families to address any barriers to attendance.

Under this policy:

  • Pupils must attend at least 95% of the school year. Absences can negatively affect their progress.
  • Schools are encouraged to collaborate with families to address persistent absences and provide tailored support where necessary.
  • Parents and guardians have a legal responsibility to ensure their children attend school regularly.

 

We at The Observatory School are committed to working in partnership with parents, carers, and pupils to meet these expectations. By encouraging good attendance, we are helping to create a foundation for long-term success.

 

How We Support Attendance

Our school understands that sometimes circumstances arise that can impact attendance, such as illness or personal challenges. That’s why we have support systems in place to help:

  • Attendance Monitoring: We track attendance closely and communicate with parents regularly.
  • Pastoral Support: Our dedicated pastoral team is here to help pupils overcome any challenges that may be preventing them from attending school regularly.
  • Reward Systems: We celebrate good and improved attendance through rewards, certificates, and recognition at our weekly celebration assemblies.
  • Working Together: If your child is struggling with attendance, we will work with you to identify solutions and provide any necessary support.

Let’s Aim High

Remember, “Attend today, achieve tomorrow”. Every day in school is an opportunity for growth, learning, and success. We encourage all of our pupils to make the most of their time with us by maintaining excellent attendance. Together, we can ensure that all of our pupils achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

For more information about attendance or if you have any concerns, please contact our school office or speak to your child’s pastoral lead.
Holidays During Term Time at The Observatory School

At The Observatory School, we are committed to ensuring that every pupil attends school regularly to achieve their best. As part of this commitment, we must follow government guidelines regarding holidays taken during term time.

Why Holidays in Term Time Are Not Supported

Taking holidays during the school term can significantly disrupt your child’s education. Even a few days away from school can lead to missed lessons, gaps in learning, and difficulties in catching up. For these reasons, the government and schools strongly discourage taking pupils out of school for holidays during term time.

In line with the Government’s 2024 Attendance Policy, headteachers can only authorise term-time absences in exceptional circumstances. Examples of exceptional circumstances may include:

  • Immediate family bereavements
  • Medical appointments that cannot be scheduled outside school hours
  • Special cases as discussed with the school

Unfortunately, family holidays or trips abroad do not fall under exceptional circumstances and will not be approved.

Potential Fines for Unauthorised Absence

If a holiday is taken during term time without authorisation, the absence will be marked as unauthorised. In line with government policy, parents and carers may be subject to a fixed penalty fine for unauthorised absences. The local authority has the power to issue these fines as part of their role in ensuring school attendance.

Under the attendance regime:

  • If a pupil has 10 or more unauthorised sessions (equivalent to 5 days) missed, schools and councils should consider issuing a penalty notice to parents.

  • The penalty is currently £80 if paid promptly or £160 if paid later – unpaid fines can lead to court action

Supporting Your Child's Attendance

We understand that sometimes life events occur that require careful consideration, and we encourage families to discuss any concerns or exceptional circumstances with the school as early as possible. Our priority is to work with you to ensure your child’s education is not disrupted unnecessarily.

Our goal is to provide every pupil with the opportunity to succeed. By avoiding holidays during term time and maintaining good attendance, we can ensure that each pupil makes the most of their education and remains on track to achieve their full potential.

For further details, please refer to our school’s attendance policy or contact the school office for guidance.

Reporting your child absent

Contact the School as Soon as Possible

  • Please inform the school on the first day of absence, ideally before the start of the school day.

  • You can report an absence by:

    • 📞 Calling the school office 0151 652 7093

    • Provide the Reason for Absence

      When reporting your child’s absence, please tell us:

      • Your child’s full name

      • Their class or base

      • The reason for the absence

      • How long you expect your child to be absent (if known)

       

    • Ongoing Absence 
      *If your child is absent for more than one day, please keep in contact with the school to provide updates.
      *Medical evidence may be requested for longer or repeated absences.

    • Appointments During the School Day
      *Wherever possible, please arrange medical or other appointments outside of school hours.
      *If this is not possible, inform the school in advance and provide evidence of the appointment.

 

  • Unreported Absence
    *If we do not hear from you, the school will contact you on the first day of absence to ensure your child is safe.
Skip to content