Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance

Good attendance at school is essential and we are committed to doing all we can to support families achieve the best possible attendance for their children. We know that this will not only help children’s academic success, but also their social and mental health as well.

Attendance at school is statutory for all children and 96% attendance is considered good (this is set nationally and not by the school). 

Telling the school if your child is absent

Parents/carers must contact school on the first day of their child’s absence and then each day afterwards. If your child is not at school in the morning and you haven’t told us to expect this, then we must check that your child is safe. You can tell us that your child is absent by phoning the school office on (01202 528893) or via email. 

Monitoring attendance

Children’s attendance is regularly monitored and details of this can be found in the attendance policy. Our school works closely with the Local Authority as well as our own Education Social Worker: advice is taken where there are concerns about a child’s attendance.

Requests for absence during term time

In line with current legislation, Headteachers are only allowed to grant leave of absence from school in exceptional circumstances (defined as rare, significant, unavoidable and short). 

Requests should be in writing and must be submitted before any absence is taken.

As a general guide, the following might be considered as ‘exceptional’: 

• Immediate family weddings, christenings or funerals;

• Immediate family member returning home from Service Duty;

• Days of religious observance;

• Other situations where a ‘compassionate’ element is applicable.

Generally, the following cannot be considered ‘exceptional’:

• Family holidays and breaks even when these have been rearranged due to Covid etc;

• Parents’ profession or place of work making it difficult to align school and work holidays;

• Educational visits arranged by family members during school time;

• Family birthdays or other events;

After applying for term time absence, parents/carers will be notified of the Headteacher’s decision as quickly as possible. If the absence is not agreed, then it should not be taken.

We respectfully remind parents that they should only tell the school that their child is unwell when this is actually the case.

Attendance is monitored on a weekly basis in school and we will inform you in writing if your child’s attendance is a concern. If school attendance should continue to be a concern we may take legal action which could be in the form of a Fixed Penalty Notices or prosecution.

Lateness

Punctuality is also important: lateness has a huge negative impact on a child’s learning. If your child arrives at school after their designated start of the school day, they will be registered as ‘late’. Lateness beyond 15 mins of their expected arrival time, will be counted as an absence for the morning session which will be unauthorised unless the school is offered an acceptable reason. If your child is persistently late, this will be dealt with in line with the school’s attendance policy.

Attendance Policy 2023-24