Parents

Attendance

We have a dedicated Attendance Team in school who monitor daily the attendance of all students.  This team consists of:

For our students to gain the greatest benefit from their education and develop essential life skills, it is vital that they attend regularly. Parents/Carers have a legal responsibility to ensure their son/daughter attends school, on time, every day the school is open; unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.

Whilst we accept that there are times when students are unable to attend school due to ill health or for particular personal circumstances, our expectation is that all students will achieve a minimum of 95% attendance at school over the course of the year.  Attendance in school is closely linked to achievement in school and it’s vitally important that your child attends school as much as possible to ensure they don’t fall behind.

If for any reason your child is unexpectedly absent from school, we ask that you ring the attendance line as soon as possible and by 8:40am latest on 01653 605303.  Messages can be left on the attendance line 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Attendance is monitored weekly by the Attendance and Pastoral Teams in all year groups.  Staff will make contact home if they have any concerns.  Further information on attendance can be found in:

The importance of attendance

  • Any absence (including lateness) affects the pattern of a student’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning;
  • Students who attend school regularly, over 95%, are most likely to succeed academically in line with their prior attainment data;
  • According to statistics, those with less than 90% attendance are most likely to drop below their prior attainment expectations by at least two grades in each subject;
  • Students who have positive attendance, over 95%, will be more settled, maintain positive friendships and become more involved in the wider life of the school;
  • Students who establish good attendance and punctuality routines at school will maintain these throughout life;

We are working hard with parents/carers, staff and students to ensure the highest levels of attendance for all our students and are pleased to say that we have received an Attendance Award for the Autumn Term.

Ensuring your child’s regular attendance at school is your legal responsibility and permitting absence from school without a good reason is an offence in law and may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (for each parent/carer) and/or prosecution.

Parents/Carers

You can help by:

  • Ensuring your child attends school and is punctual.
  • Reinforcing the importance of good attendance and the link between attendance and progress.
  • Informing school in advance of any planned absences, e.g. hospital appointments that cannot be made out of school hours, and only taking the minimum amount of time off required for the appointment.
  • Making all non-urgent doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours or in the school holidays.
  • Informing school by 8.40am on the morning of the first day of an unplanned absence and any subsequent days following that.
  • Contacting your child’s Head of Year if you have any concerns that may affect attendance.

A new guide for parents on improving attendance has been developed by members of the Attendance Action Alliance who have worked with the Department for Education.  The guide can be found here.

The North Yorkshire information for parents and carers rights and responsibilities for attendance can be found here – Information for Parents – Attendance – NYC and Leg 1a – Flow chart of School LA Attendance Procedure -August 2024 (1)

Leave of Absence / Holidays

Following changes to legislation from September 2013, Malton School is no longer permitted to grant authorised absence for family holidays in term time, except in exceptional circumstances.  For more information, click here

Family holidays should not be arranged during term time. The Department for Education make it clear that there is no entitlement for parents to take their child on holiday in term time. Any leave must be only in exceptional circumstances and a request must be made to the Headteacher, at least 21 days in advance of the proposed absence.

Exceptional circumstances would be classed as bereavement or extreme family circumstances not cheaper holidays or issues with parental leave.

Taking a holiday during term time, persistent absence, or persistent late arrival to school may result in a referral to the Local Authority and could lead to prosecution proceedings, or a Fixed Penalty Notice. Fixed Penalty Notices amount to £80 per parent but this rises to £160 per parent if it is not paid in 21 days; if the fine remains unpaid, you may be prosecuted for your child’s absence from school. From the 2024 to 2025 school year, each parent will only get up to 2 fines for the same child in a 3-year period.

A second fine in 3 years will be £160 per parent. If you do not pay the fine in 28 days you may be taken to court for keeping your child out of school. If your child is off school 3 or more times within the 3 years you will not be fined but may be taken to court.

You can find more information about the legal action local councils and schools can take at the following address:

Gov school attendance absence legal action.

Please use this form NYC – PN 4 – Application for Leave of Absence in exceptional Circumstances to request a leave of absence of holiday during term time.

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