Good attendance is vital to a child’s success in education. At Birch Wood School we fully understand that some pupils face more complex barriers to attendance and this can include pupils who have long term physical or mental health conditions as well as other difficulties in their life related to problems at home and/or school.
We ask that parents and carers make school aware of any difficulties or changes in circumstances that may affect their child/children’s attendance and/or behaviour in school (for example: illness, bereavement, divorce/separation, incidents of domestic abuse). This will help the school identify any additional support that may be required (this may include involvement of the Home-School Link Worker, Health and Well-being Officers, the School Nurse, therapists or referrals to external support agencies).
We will always offer a “support first” approach to improving attendance with a focus on supportive measures. Each situation will be approached in a way that best supports the individual family and on a case by case means and reviewed regularly. We will ensure joined up pastoral care is in place where needed.
The school’s Senior Attendance Champion is Claire Wood.
Please see our Attendance Policy for more information.
Times of the School Day:
The times of our school day vary between sites, this allows transport to drop off and collect at both sites as necessary.
Students at Birch Wood Vale and Ashton House start at 8.50am and finish at 3.20pm.
Students at Grange Drive start at 9.00am and finish at 3.30pm.
Students at Birch Wood College start at 8.50am and finish at 3.00pm
Absence from school:
If your child is going to be absent from school, then the child’s parent or carer must notify the school with the reason for absence by 7.30am or as soon as practically possible, by calling the school office on 01664 483340. If you have to leave a message, please tell us the reason for the absence too.
Leave of Absence Requests:
A leave of absence is granted at the headteacher’s discretion, including the length of time the pupil is authorised to be absent for. As a leave of absence will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, it is unlikely a leave of absence will be granted for the purposes of a family holiday.
The school considers each application for term-time absence individually, taking account of the specific facts, circumstances and relevant background context behind the request. Any request should be submitted as soon as it is anticipated and, where possible, at least 4 weeks before the absence. Please ask your child’s teacher or the office staff for a Leave of Absence Form
Holidays in Term Time:
Where a family chooses to take a holiday or any leave during term time, the absences will be coded as unauthorised, and as such Headteachers may request that the Local Authority issues a Penalty Notice in accordance with the National Framework (August 2024) and Leicestershire County Council’s Code of Conduct.
If a Penalty Notice is issued to a parent in respect of a particular pupil, the first charge will be £160 if paid within 28 days. This will be further reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. If the penalty is not paid by the end of the 28 day period, the local authority must decide either to prosecute for the original offence to which the notice applies or withdraw the notice. Parent(s) can only be prosecuted if 28 days have expired and full payment has not been made.
The local authority has a School Attendance Support Team which works with us offering a “support first” approach to improving attendance and will work closely with schools, families and pupils to assist with any attendance problems.
If you are having difficulties ensuring that your child attends school regularly, please do talk to your child’s teacher/form tutor in the first instance, as soon as possible, so that we can work together to support you and your child.