Authorised and unauthorised absence 

If a student is absent from Oasis Academy Fir Vale, it is vital that their parent lets school know as soon as possible to give a reason either over the telephone or in person at the gate or office.  All absences from school can result in a telephone call and/or a home visit.  

If absences are not reported to school, a message will be sent out to parents asking them to inform school of the reason. If not contact is still made from home, a home visit will be undertaken by one of the attendance team.  

Please note that we now require medical evidence for all illness absence over 3 days.

Appointments during term time 

We understand at times that there can be genuine reasons for absences. Please remember to keep the Academy Office and the class teacher informed. As per our safeguarding procedures if contact is not made then the attendance team will carry out a home visit as it is important that we know where your child is.

Term time holidays 

In order to maximise individual achievement, parents should not take family holidays during the term time period.  The Local Authority has the power to fine parents if their child is absent from school without authorisation. Please note, the academy will not authorise holiday during term time.   However, we advise that you complete a Term Time Leave Request form by clicking here.  You can also complete this form in the main office.

What if my child’s attendance continues to go down and isn’t improving? 

 If your child's attendance continues to decline, the academy can offer a range of support measures.  Please speak to the attendance team or the class teacher.  
However, if after support is provided and the attendance has not improved, the Local Authority may issue a fine,  according to the new guidance which came into effect from 19th August 2024. 

What can you do to help?  

• Do not book holidays in term time.
• Make medical appointments after your child has had the morning or afternoon attendance mark and always return to school afterwards.
• Do not take your child out of school unless in exceptional circumstances.
• Always ring the school to let us know where your child is and why they are absent.
• If your child has been ill, encourage them to attend as soon as they are fit and able.
• Be punctual and set good routines, as persistent lateness will affect their attendance.

Persistent Absence  

All parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends Oasis Academy Fir Vale on a regular and punctual basis. It is a criminal offence under Section 444 of the 1996 Education Act to fail to secure regular attendance of a registered pupil at Oasis Academy Fir Vale.  

Regular attendance at school is essential to ensure uninterrupted progress and to enable children to fulfil their potential. The Department for Education has published data on their website that clearly shows the link between attendance and attainment. It also highlights the impact on a child education if attendance is not consistently above 95% throughout their schooling.   

Any pupil who misses 19 days or more of school and has attendance below 90% is classed as persistently absent. This figure is not acceptable, and it will be expected that the family will work relationally with the academy and local authority in order to improve your child’s attendance. These families will be regularly tracked and invited into school to attend meetings in how to improve their child’s attendance. If a parent shows support and starts to show improvements to their child’s attendance, then they will be monitored. If attendance continues to drop and support isn’t followed, unfortunately this will give the school no further option than to contact the local authority to process fixed penalty fines. 

If you wish to find out more information regarding attendance, please follow the link below for Sheffield City Council 

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/schools-childcare/attendance-guidance-parents 

Severely absent pupils 

A pupil becomes a severe absentee if they miss 50% of their schooling across the academic year.  Absence at this level is doing considerable damage to any child’s educational prospects. The school will be working closely with families whose child is fitting this figure and the family may be referred to social care for educational neglect. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will be involved in this process.  

Educational neglect 

Schools have a statutory duty under section 175 of the Education Act 2002 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Regular school attendance is predominately the responsibility of parents and carers.  Primary aged children where school attendance is 75% or less over an academic year (three terms) halves their possibility of achieving the recognised average level for a child at the end of Key Stage 2.   

Signs of Educational Neglect:  

• Parents consistently failing in maintaining schooling or identifying provision for their child.   

• Parents failing to engage in school meetings to address attendance concerns.   

• Parent unable to provide substantiated reasons for absences from school.   

• Parent failure to engage in statutory or non-statutory interventions to improve attendance.   

• Parents fail to prevent children from becoming persistently absent (below 90% attendance) and/or severely absent over a period equal to an academic year (9 months / 6 half-terms).   

• Parents “can’t” rather than won’t enforce boundaries and routines.   

• Child refusal to attend school / adhere to parental boundaries.   

• Impact of adverse childhood experiences or multiple moves (school / addresses).   

Our children’s thoughts about coming to school  

‘School will help us get a good job in the future’  

‘At school I can learn safely and get a good education’  

‘I can learn new skills’  

‘I can make friends’  

‘I learn how to socialise with other children and adults’  

‘School prepares you for when you get older and go to work’