Lichfield Down, Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes MK7 7BW

Tel: 01908 550811 Fax: 01908 605273

Email:

School Attendance

As you will already be aware, Heronsgate is an Academy, within Milton Keynes Education Trust (MKET). Lisa Gabriel is the trusts ‘Family Support Worker’

Lisa works across all the schools within MKET- Walton High, Heronsgate, Kents Hill and New Chapter, working with the head teachers, support staff, parents, MK council and children’s social services to ensure good attendance at school.

Lisa’s role at Heronsgate involves meeting parents to discuss their children’s attendance levels and any issues within or outside school which may have an impact on their learning. Lisa will visit Heronsgate on a weekly basis, meeting with Mrs Edwards and the admin team to monitor and review low attendance or persistent lateness.

The government recognises that low attendance impacts a child’s learning capability. From the start of the academic year attendance below 90% is considered to fall into the category of persistent absence. This will be monitored and any concerns documented and may lead to letters being sent home to parents.

If your child is unwell or unable to attend school we require parents to advise us by 8.45am. If your child is unwell and unable to come to school for 3 days or more, you should supply evidence that they have visited their GP – along with an outcome of what they have advised.

Late arrival at school negatively affects a child academically, causing social and emotional upset, as well as being disruptive for the other children and adults in class.

EVERY MINUTE REALLY DOES COUNT

If you child is / Over the year your child could lose the equivalent number of days of education
5 minutes late / 3 days
10 Minutes late / 6.5 days
15 minutes late / 10 days
20 minutes late / 13 days
30 minutes late / 19.5 days

Late arrival after registers close at 9.30am will be marked as an unauthorised absence. 6 unauthorised absences of this type will trigger a warning letter, which can result in a fixed penalty notice (FPN) being issued. This may result in a fine, for each parent, currently £60 per child.

We reward good attendance by:

Having an exciting and stimulating curriculum

Having welcoming and dedicated staff to encourage and care for your child’s needs

Having Fergus the fox for the class with the best attendance

Having certificates for children who attend school every day on time, each term. These start with Bronze then Silver and Finally Gold, leading to a medal when they reach their Gold certificate they will then receive a medal for having 100% attendance throughout the academic year

Heronsgate is operated by Milton Keynes Education Trust which is a charitable company

Limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number 7663689

The Registered Office is at Walton High, Fyfield Barrow, Milton Keynes, MK7 7WH

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