At Brooke Weston Trust, we believe that every day in school matters. Regular attendance is not just a legal requirement – it is a key driver of academic success, personal development, and future opportunity. Our schools are committed to ensuring that all students attend on every day possible and are supported to overcome any barriers to doing so.
Why Attendance Matters
The Department for Education highlights that pupils with the strongest attendance are more likely to achieve better outcomes, both academically and socially. Missing school can lead to gaps in learning, reduced confidence and limited prospects. Here at Brooke Weston Trust, we work proactively to promote a culture where attendance is everyone’s responsibility and, by working together in partnership, we can support our students to reach their potential.
A Trust-Wide Commitment
Across all Brooke Weston Trust schools, we strive to build strong working relationships with students and their families to listen to and address any barriers to school attendance. We recognise that for some pupils, they may require a more bespoke support offer and, using a Multi-Tiered System of Support, we are able to respond with the appropriate level of intervention:
Tier 1: Universal support and positive reinforcement
Tier 2: Individualised early internal intervention for emerging concerns
Tier 3: High-level, multi-agency support for complex or persistent absence
Details of specific arrangements and provisions in place within your child’s respective school can be found via their school website. We also encourage parents and carers to communicate directly with their child’s school to discuss any emerging concerns and/or support in relation to attendance and punctuality.
Leave During Term Time
There is clear evidence that absence can affect a child’s academic progress and social development. At Brooke Weston Trust, our schools are committed to supporting every pupil’s success and wellbeing, and we expect students to attend school every day possible to ensure consistent learning and growth.
In line with Department for Education’s 2024 Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance, a holiday or leave of absence for leisure and recreation would not constitute as an exceptional circumstance for leave during term time. Absences of this nature will therefore be unauthorised.
We also request that, where possible, all dental/medical/visa appointments are made outside of school hours. Should this not be possible, please strive to provide evidence of the appointment to your child’s respective school for consideration to be given for authorisation of the absence. This also includes sports visits/competitions taking place during the school day.
National Framework for Penalty Notices
The National Framework for Penalty Notices introduced by the Department for Education came into effect on the 19th August 2024. This framework was developed to ensure a consistent and fair approach across all local authorities in England when issuing penalty notices for unauthorised school absences.
It sets out clear guidelines on:
· When penalty notices should be issued.
· The amount parents are fined.
· The escalation process for repeated offences.
· The legal implication of non-payment or persistent absence.
By standardising these procedures, the framework aims to support schools and families in promoting regular school attendance, which is vital for every child’s educational progress and wellbeing.
Code of Conduct
Brooke Weston Trust operates schools across two local authorities – North Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire.
Each Local Authority across England is required to publish a Code of Conduct that outlines how it will implement the National Framework for Penalty Notices. These documents ensure that penalty notices for unauthorised absences are issued fairly, consistently, and transparently across all schools in the area.
North Northamptonshire Code of Conduct can be found here.
Cambridgeshire Code of Conduct can be found here.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
At Brooke Weston Trust, we are committed to nurturing the mental health and emotional wellbeing of every student across our schools. We recognise that wellbeing is essential to learning, and we work closely with families and external agencies to ensure pupils have access to the support they need.
We encourage students and their families to reach out to their respective school if they are concerned about mental health or emotional wellbeing. In addition to in-school support, there are a range of trusted services available.
Support Agencies
· CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) – NHS support for children and young people experiencing emotional, behavioural, or mental health difficulties.
· Kooth – A free, safe, and anonymous online counselling and wellbeing platform for young people aged 11-25.
· YoungMinds – A national charity offering expert advice, resources, and a parent helpline to support young people’s mental health.
· Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families – Provides resources, training, and support for schools and families to promote mental health and resilience in young people.
· Local Authority Early Help Services – Offering practical and emotional support to families facing challenges that may affect a child’s wellbeing or attendance.
· Local School Nursing/0-19 Teams – These teams support the health and wellbeing of children and young people through advice, early intervention and links to wider health services.