Going to school regularly is important for your child's future.
Going to school every day means:
What you can do to help
Please inform school by 09:15 a.m. if your child is unwell and unable to attend school. We will ring or text you if your child is absent and no reason has been provided, in order to check your child is safe.
We understand that everyone does not feel bright and full of energy every day but it is important that your child does not take time off school for minor ailments. We realise that during the winter months there are lots of children suffering with coughs and colds but please remember that your child's attendance is really important, and they should only be kept at home when they are really poorly and unable to attend school. Children need to develop resilience and a positive mind set for their learning and world of work.
Arranging appointments and outings after school hours, at weekends or during school holidays will help prevent disruption to your child's education and to the school.
Punctuality
Children are welcome on the playground from 8.40am in the morning and an adult will be on duty from 8.50am. The school day begins at 9.00am. There are a small number of children who arrive persistently late for school. This is disruptive for the child, class and teachers and will be monitored and dealt with by the Headteacher.
Authorised and Unauthorised Absence
If your child is absent and school either does not receive an explanation from you or considers the explanation unsatisfactory, it will record your child's absence as 'unauthorised'.
Most absences for acceptable reasons will be authorised by school, ie:
Sickness
Unavoidable medical or dental arrangements (if possible, these need to be arranged during the school holidays)
Days of religious observance
Exceptional family circumstances, such as bereavement
The Department of Education will not allow schools to grant leave of absence, except in explicit exceptional circumstances. This means that no holidays during term time will be authorised by the Headteacher.
How to apply
Although no holidays during term time will be authorised, any request for leave of absence has to be completed on the relevant Leave of Absence Form which is available from the school office and any requests for leave of absence for family bereavement or emergency must have supporting documentation.
Attendance and the law
By law, all children of compulsory school age (5-16) must receive a suitable full-time education. For most parents, this means registering their child at a school - though some choose to make other arrangements to provide a suitable, full-time education. Once your child is registered at a school, you are legally responsible for making sure that they attend regularly.
Parents taking children out of school during term time which are not authorised by the Headteacher may result in a Penalty Notice being issued by the Local Authority.
Fines apply per parent per child
Payment is £120 if paid within 28 Days - reduced to £60 if paid within 21 Days
If not paid matter will be placed before the Court may result in your child losing their school place
If attendance falls below 95% or a regular pattern of absence occurs, the school will contact you to raise their concerns about your child's attendance.
Procedures to follow if your child is unable to attend school
Just a reminder of procedures if your child is absent from school. Please contact school before 9.15am on the day of absence. You can ring the school office on 01332 840305 option 1. Please provide the reason for absence, the child's name, class and your name. As a safeguarding procedure, if we don't hear anything, we will contact you to confirm the absence.
Attendance
We have included some useful information and forms below:
