Ysgol Gynradd Milton
Milton Primary School

At Milton Primary School, we believe that excellent attendance is the foundation for success. Every day in school provides valuable opportunities for children to learn, develop friendships, build confidence and experience new opportunities. Regular attendance supports academic achievement, emotional wellbeing and helps children feel fully connected to school life.

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We work in partnership with families to promote positive attendance habits and to ensure that every child has the best possible chance to reach their full potential. Our aim is for all pupils to attend school every day, arrive on time and be ready to learn. Together, we can create the strong attendance patterns that help children thrive both now and in the future.

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A reminder of our attendance procedures:

• All children are expected to attend every day, on time (8.50am)

• If a child is unable to attend school as they are unwell, please phone school by 8.50am/report via Classcharts on the morning they are unable to attend to give a reason.

• If a child is unable to attend as they have a medical appointment, a copy of the appointment letter/screen shot of appointment text needs to be given to school as evidence of this.

• If we do not have a reason for the child's absence, this will be recorded as unauthorised.

• Where a child's attendance falls below satisfactory (92%) a warning letter 1 will be sent informing parents of their child's attendance and advising of the improvements needed.

• If there is no improvement or repeated unauthorised absences are recorded, a warning letter 2 will be sent and a meeting will be arranged to meet with you to discuss barriers to your child attending - this meeting is supportive and focussed on understanding how we can support you to improve their attendance.

• If there is still no improvement, we will engage with support from the education welfare service to help to improve your child's attendance. 

 

Fixed Penalty Notices

We wish to share with you that the school will once again this year be issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN), as part of the attendance strategy of Welsh Government and Newport Local Authority.

We feel it is essential to continue to attend school every day and use as many strategies as we feel necessary to ensure learners are in classrooms all day, every day. We wish to reassure you that we will only issue an FPN as a last resort, as usually issues are resolved with clear home to school communication. However, when there are no underlying reasons for school absence then the FPN process will be followed.

Fixed Penalty Notices may be considered appropriate when:

• At least 10 sessions (5 school days) are lost due to unauthorised absence during the current term. These do not need to be consecutive;

• Unauthorised absences of at least 10 sessions (5 school days) due to holidays in term time or delayed return from extended holidays; or

• Persistent late arrival at school, i.e. after the register has closed, in the current term. “Persistent” means at least 10 sessions of late arrival;

• Truancy, where the child has come to the attention of the Police or public during school hours for being absent from school, without an acceptable reason

Please can we also take this opportunity to highlight to you the Welsh Government guidance on ‘who receives a Fixed Penalty Notice?’

‘These procedures apply to the parents/carers of children of compulsory school age who are registered at a maintained school, a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and those attending alternative provision.

As with prosecutions under section 444 of the Education Act 1996, a penalty notice may be issued to each parent/carer liable for the offence or offences.’

 

Please make sure all absences are reported on Class Charts and holiday forms are completed where there is a request for leave of absence. 

Finally, as above, fines are a last resort. We are always here to help. If you have difficulties with getting your child to school please reach out to school to discuss so we can offer support via school email, phone call or class charts.