Attendance Matters!

 All children have the right to a good quality education: TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE IT!

                    UNICEF: Children's Rights - Article 28 

 At Whiston, we strive for all children to achieve at least 97% attendance per year. 

Attendance below 96%, is classed as poor attendance, as this will mean that children will have missed 7+ days of teaching and learning throughout the year. We are required to report and publish our attendance figures and it is the responsibility of the parents and carers to inform us of any pupil absence. If your child is unwell and is unable to attend school, you must inform us by telephone: 01709 828189 or by email: enquiries@wji.wwpat.org by 8:30am of their first day of absence and on any subsequent days.

 We will record absence as either authorised or unauthorised.

Authorised absences include illnesses (we may request medical evidence to authorise this), special circumstances and medical appointments - again we may ask for evidence of these.

Unauthorised absences include unexplained absences, holidays and lateness. If a child's absence falls below the Local Authority threshold, we will follow the Rotherham Pathway to try and support families to improve their child's attendance.  This may include a referal for a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Watch the children's video, which informs you of the reasons you why they think that they should be in school: Whiston Junior and Infant School - Parent & Pupil Info (whistonjunior-infant.co.uk)

Follow the link to our Attendance Policy: Whiston Junior and Infant School - School Policies (whistonjunior-infant.co.uk)

Please contact Helen Lilleyman (Attendance Lead)  or Tina Angell (Head Teacher) to discuss any issues that you may have with getting your child to attend school. Or to find alternative support, click on the links below: 

• RPCF Rotherham Parent Carers Forum
• Early Help – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
• School attendance and absence - childlawadvice.org.uk

 My child is ill, when should they return to school?

Picking up bugs is part of growing up and builds children's immune system. We know that there are times when your child needs to stay at home because they are not well enough to stay in school. You know your child best, but the information below from NHS helps if you are unsure as to whether you should keep your child at home and for how long.