Attendance

Your child has a legal – and moral – right to an education to help him or her achieve as much as possible and given them the best start to adult life – but they must be at school to benefit from what is being offered and it’s your legal responsibility to ensure this.

 

The Law

Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 states that it is the responsibility of parents/carers to ensure that their child attends the school at which they are on roll regularly and failure to do so could result in legal action being taken against them.

 

It is much better to encourage good school attendance at an early age to minimise problems later. For most pupils it is a routine for them to attend school but this is not the case for all children. If you are having problems in getting your child to school contact either the school’s Attendance Officer, Mrs Clarke or the school’s Education Welfare Officer, Mrs Thompson to arrange for a discussion as soon as possible. There is a lot that can be done to help pupils experiencing problems but the school needs to know what the problems are and it’s better to try to resolve difficulties at an early stage.

 

Punctuality

If your child is only a few minutes late it can add up to a significant amount over a long period. If your child is late he or she may miss registration – or disrupt his or her own learning and the learning of others in the class. Detentions are not welcome but are easily avoided – just encourage your child not to be late.

 

Holidays

Many parents believe that they have the right to take their children on holiday for up to ten days in term time – this is not so! Parents/carers can request up to ten days of authorised absence to take their child on holiday but the school does not have to agree. Anything longer than ten days must be agreed by the governing body. If there is a pattern of poor attendance, absences for a holiday can be counted towards an assessment about whether court action should be taken.

 

School Uniform

As from September 2007 all new entrants to Manor Foundation will be required to wear a black polo shirt with school badge and a green sweatshirt with logos and badge. Black trousers/skirt and black shoes. Students are asked not to wear jewellery, the exception being a small pair of small earrings or studs for students with pierced ears. One wristwatch and one ring are acceptable.

Nose studs are not allowed. No other body piercing is allowed.

 

Communication with Parents

We value and actively encourage regular contact with our parents and carers. This is achieved through:

• Parents Evening
• Academic Review Days
• Letters
• Phone Calls
• Appointments
• Newsletters
• Planners etc.

 

Note: Home visits can be arranged via our Home School Liaison Officer,

Mrs Douglass.

 

Enrichment

We encourage pupils to make the most of the opportunities available to them.

• School Council
• Activities Day
• Theatre Visits
• Variety of Overseas Trips
• University Visits
• Cultural Days
• Regular External Speakers e.g. Armed Forces/Road Safety
• Involvement with external Agencies

 

In February 2006 OfSTED stated that Manor Foundation :