School Attendance – Covid Update

March 2021

 

A very important message for all parents/carers

 

8^th March 2021

 

Dear Parent/Carer,

 

This is a message about school attendance. 

 

Christ the King RC Primary School is working in partnership with parents and Birmingham City Council to encourage children back into school following several very difficult months for parents, children and schools. We would like to thank parents for the work you have done in ensuring your children have received education during this period. 

 

During the recent lockdown, schools were closed to all but vulnerable children and the children of critical workers.

 

Now the circumstances have changed, it is vital for all children to return to school to minimise as far as possible the longer-term impact of the pandemic on their education, wellbeing and wider development.  We know that children have missed being with their friends and the wider social aspects of school.  Following the first lockdown the vast majority of children returned to full time school.

 

Missing out on more time in the classroom risks pupils falling further behind. Those with higher overall absence tend to achieve less well in both primary and secondary school. Therefore, the government has advised that school attendance is again compulsory from the 8^th March 2021

 

This means that (unless parents are formally notified of new lockdown arrangements where schools are closed or a child is required to self-isolate), the usual rules on school attendance apply, including:

 

• parents’ duty to send their child/children to school regularly where they are of compulsory school age;
• schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence
• the option for local authorities to again consider the use of legal sanctions, including penalty notices and prosecution in court.

 

If you are worried about your child/children attending school the first port of call is to discuss your concerns with the school directly. The school has specialist staff who may be able to help, and all schools work closely with health and council teams who may also be able to help if needed.

 

Please note that, given the disruption to children’s education caused by the pandemic, requests for leave during term time are unlikely to be authorised by the Head Teacher.

 

Family emergencies also need careful consideration. It is not always appropriate or in the best interests of the child to miss school for emergencies which are being dealt with by adult family members.  

 

No school or local authority wants to take legal action.  Every attempt to resolve parents’ concerns and improve a child’s attendance will be made before any formal legal action, which may include a penalty notice or court action, is considered.  

 

After so much disruption to children’s education over the past year, the most important thing is that the school and parents work together to get children back into school. The school is ready to listen so please contact them if you have any worries and they will try to help you.  There is also information for parents and carers on attending school during the pandemic here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

 

We wish you and your child/children all the best for the remainder of the academic year.

 

Kind regards

 

 

Education Legal Intervention Team

Birmingham City Council                                  

Our Ref: IW/1329tr

 

 

03 March 2021

 

Dear parent/carer

 

With schools and colleges across Birmingham preparing for the return of all pupils and

students from 8 March, we are writing to thank you for everything you have done

throughout a challenging year and to ask for your continued help and support over the

coming weeks and months.

 

Clearly, the reopening of our schools and colleges to all pupils and students must be

done in a safe way, which is why it is important that we all continue to follow the

guidance - at all times.

 

Schools and colleges will be taking additional measures to ensure that children and

young people can learn in as safe an environment as possible. They will be sharing

their new arrangements with you once they have been finalised, so please continue to

support your school or college by following their rules. Continue to follow the current

routines until the new plans have been communicated and come into effect.

As each institution is different their plans and rules will vary, but there are some things

we all must do:

 

• remember social distancing and don’t congregate at school gates at drop off

and pick up times

• engage in any testing programmes your school may have in place

• encourage your children to follow the school rules including any face coverings

and class or group bubbles

• If you or your children are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please do not

attend school. Instead, stay home and book a test.

• If you have tested positive for the virus your children should not attend school

for 10 days of you showing symptoms.

• if your child has been sent home from their class bubble and told to isolate,

your child must stay at home and not go out, whether they are experiencing

symptoms or not. They must also stay home regardless of whether they have

had a negative test. The rest of the family does not need to isolate unless your

child develops symptoms.

 

The earlier that children and young people with symptoms stay off school/college, the

fewer other children and staff will need to isolate as a precaution. This way we can

reduce any potential disruption to other children and staff and help keep schools and

colleges open.

 

The vaccine roll-out and falling case rates mean we can now start the gradual return

to normal life and the reopening of schools and colleges to more pupils is a welcome

step forward. But we must all do everything we can to ensure that is done in the safest

possible way. By working together and following the guidance, we can ensure we

keep our children, teachers, lecturers and other staff safe.

 

In closing, we want to thank you for the way you have supported your children’s

schools and colleges at this difficult time. We understand how challenging remote

education has been and your continued support and cooperation has been vital

throughout a very tough year. You really have made a difference, so thank you.

 

Warm Regards

Councillor Ian Ward

Leader of Birmingham City Council

 

Councillor Jayne Francis

Cabinet Member for Education, Skills & Culture

 

Councillor Kate Booth

Cabinet Member for Children’s Wellbeing