Our Attendance Culture at Turves Green Primary School:

• Our aim at Turves Green Primary School is to provide the greatest opportunity for children’s learning. We endeavour to provide all our pupils with an equal chance to make the most of the education that school offers, by providing a positive and encouraging atmosphere. Our curriculum offer is strong and to access it children need to be in school. For this to be achieved, it is vital that every child attends school regularly and punctually. Our whole school attendance target is 96%.

• Our Attendance Process:

• Our school gates are open at 8.30am. Children can enter the school between 8.40am and 8.50am with registration opening at 8:40am. The school gates close at 8.50am.
• We ask all parents and carers arriving after this time to bring their children to the school reception.
• Getting to school on time is very important. Arriving just five minutes late each day amounts to over 16 hours of missed learning!
• As well as recording overall absence figures, we also monitor punctuality and intervene where necessary. Please give your child the best possible chance at school by ensuring they arrive at school on time.
• When children do not attend school regularly home visits may be undertaken. The school prioritises the safeguarding of children and school regular attendance is part of this.
• The School Attendance Champion is Ms Manly, the school attendance team also includes Mrs Young, Miss Knight and the school office.
• School attendance is monitored regularly and early intervention is prioritised. Children who are at risk of persistent absenteeism are identified early with the view of getting ahead of a concern. Parents have responsibility for ensuring children attend school regularly, on time. Early intervention supports families before problems become embedded. Our open culture encourages parents / carers to reach out for support.

• Rewards. 

• This year the children at Turves Green Primary School have class bank accounts! Each week, every class in school has the chance to earn money for their class bank accounts. The winning class in each phase, WITH 96% or above will get £5. Each class with 96% or above, even if they are not the winning class, will get £1. Any class that gets 100% attendance will get £10. The children will have the chance to ‘shop’ for what they would like to ‘spend’ their class money on, for example a class own clothes day, a movie afternoon with popcorn, extra playtime or a class hot chocolate!

Safeguarding and Attendance

At Turves Green Primary School, we recognise that good attendance is closely linked to pupil wellbeing, achievement and safeguarding. While we work positively with families to promote regular attendance, there are occasions when low attendance, persistent absence or unexplained absence may indicate a safeguarding concern.

Where attendance patterns raise concerns, the school will:

• Monitor attendance closely and identify concerns at an early stage.
• Work with parents and carers to understand barriers to attendance.
• Consider whether absence may be linked to welfare, neglect, exploitation, mental health needs, domestic abuse or other safeguarding issues.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and make referrals to external agencies where appropriate.
• Work in partnership with the Local Authority and other professionals to ensure pupils receive the support they need.
• Ensure that children who are vulnerable or at risk are identified and supported through the school's safeguarding systems.

Key Documentation

Parents, carers and stakeholders may find the following documents useful:

Birmingham Local Authority Guidance and Processes

The school follows Birmingham Local Authority attendance guidance and procedures when addressing attendance concerns and supporting families. 

Birmingham LEgal

Department for Education Guidance

The school adheres to the principles set out in the Department for Education publication:

Working Together to Improve School Attendance (2026)

This guidance outlines the responsibilities of schools, parents, local authorities and other partners in improving attendance and reducing persistent absence.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

Requests for leave during term time should be made in advance using the school's Leave of Absence Request Form.

The Department for Education states that headteachers may only authorise leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. Family holidays and routine travel arrangements will not normally be authorised during term time.

Parents should be aware that unauthorised absences may result in further action in line with Local Authority procedures.

Further Information

If you are concerned about your child's attendance or require support to improve attendance, please contact the school office as soon as possible. We are committed to working with families to ensure every child attends school regularly, feels safe, and achieves their full potential.

Whole School Incentive - Class Bank Accounts.

This year the children at Turves Green Primary School have class bank accounts! 

Each week, every class in school has the chance to earn money for their class bank accounts.

The winning class in each phase, WITH 96% or above will get £5.

Each class with 96% or above, even if they are not the winning class, will get £1.

Any class that gets 100% attendance will get £10.

Classes can choose to save or spend the money they earn

The children will have the chance to ‘shop’ for what they would like to ‘spend’ their class money on, for example a class own clothes day, a movie afternoon with popcorn, extra playtime or a class hot chocolate!

Parent Information Poster

Please see the attached leaflet from Birmingham City Council:

Good Attendance Matters

Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their children attend school regularly. However, the school recognises that problems may occasionally occur which affect this. Through working in partnership with parents, we can find solutions to problems together and ensure children’s right to a full education.  The NHS have published guidance for parents and carers who are unsure whether to send their children to school.  You can view this here: Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Attendance is published weekly on our attendance board in the main school hall, which shows the attendance percentage for the previous week and also on the front page of the school website.

Please see below documents from Birmingham City Council re Penalty Notices: