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Procedures for Monitoring Absences
We are required by legislation and by Renfrewshire guidelines to take a proactive approach to supporting attendance. Parents and school staff have important parts to play in this process. It is essential that we work together to ensure that all pupils are attending school regularly and that on any occasion they are absent that we know they are safe.
Absence Notification
You must telephone the school before 9.30 a.m., or 1.30 p.m. for afternoons, if your child is to be absent or has an appointment of which the school is not aware. Failing this, the school will have to contact you.
Where a child is absent without notification and no contact can be made with parents, a member of the Home Link team may be asked to make a home visit. Where no contact can be made with the parent or guardian of the absent pupil to verify the reason for the absence it may be necessary to report the pupil to the police as a missing child.
Upon return to school from each absence, please give your child a note confirming the reason for the absence.
Supporting Attendance
Children’s absence is already regularly reviewed throughout the year by the school management team. Where a child’s attendance falls below the school norm a member of the school management team will arrange to meet with the child’s parent or guardian to explore support that can be provided by the school or by other agencies, such as the school medical service or the social work department. This may apply whether or not notification of the absence has been received by the school.
Please note that, in line with guidance from the Scottish Government, absence due to family holidays remains unauthorised unless there are extenuating family circumstances or where proof can be given from an employer stating that time off cannot be accommodated during school holidays. Further information can be viewed online at the ParentZone website. You can visit this website by clicking here.
