Persistent Absence Threshold Information

Persistent Absence (PA) Threshold

From 1^st September 2015 the Government has announced that the persistent absent (PA)  threshold criteria will be reduced from 15% to 10%.

A pupils becomes a ‘persistent absentee’ when they miss 10% or more of schooling across the school year for whatever reason. The table below simplifies this criterion:

 Facts:

• Minimum attendance of 96% (7 days absence per year) means that during primary years the child will miss more than a term of education. 
• If attendance is between 90-96% (8-20 days absence per year) it means that during primary years the child will miss 2 or more terms of education. 
• If attendance is between 85-90% (20-30 days absence per year) it means that during primary years the child will miss over a year of education. 
  
  
• Pupils who miss more than 50% of school, only 3% manage to achieve five A* to C GCSE grades including English and Maths. 
• Pupils who miss between 10% and 20% of school only 35% manage to achieve five A* to C GCSE grades including English and Maths. 
• Pupils who miss less than 5% of school 73% manage to achieve five A* to C GCSE grades including English and Maths.

As a school we will monitor all absence thoroughly.  Any case that is seen to have reached the PA mark or is at risk of moving towards that mark is given priority and you will be informed of this immediately.

PA pupils are tracked and monitored carefully through our pastoral system. These pupils and their parents are subject to an Action Plan and the plan may include: allocation of additional support with LSA’s use of circle time, individual incentive programmes and participation in group activities around raising attendance, and support/home visits from our Home School Support Workers (HSSW). 

All cases of persistent absence are also automatically made known to the Attendance and Behaviour Officer (ABO).