Attendance, Absence & Punctuality
We seek to ensure that all children receive a full-time education, maximising the opportunities for all to realise their true potential. All school staff will work, with children and their families, to support them in meeting their legal duty to ensure that their children achieve maximum possible attendance; and that any problems which may impede full attendance are acted upon quickly.
Did you know?
90% Attendance means that a child is missing half a day’s school a week.
95% Attendance means that a child will miss two weeks of school in a year.
The Local Authority deem a child to be a persistent absentee if their attendance falls below 90%.
There are 190 school days in a year leaving 175 in which to take holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions…
Q: My child is unwell, what should I do?
A: Please call the school office no later than 9.00am, 01952 388450, leaving a message stating your child’s name, class and a brief explanation of the nature of the illness. A call is requested for every day of absence unless you have spoken directly with the Attendance Officer.
Q: Why do I need to call every day?
A: We cannot assume that a child is unwell just because they were off school the previous day. If you believe an absence due to illness may be prolonged, please contact us so that we can make arrangements to avoid you calling daily.
Q: I know in advance that my child needs to leave school early for an appointment, what should I do?
A: Send your child to school with a note stating the reason they need to leave school and the time you wish to collect them. The note should be handed in at Reception or to the child’s class teacher. Alternatively you can speak with the class teacher before or after school or the school admin team during the day. Evidence must be provided showing the appointment date and time.
Q: I have just remembered that I need to collect my child during the school day but I have forgotten to send a note what should I do?
A: Please call us, 01952 388450 to inform the admin team.
Q: I wish to take my child out of school for a Family Holiday (or other reason) during term time.
A : Leave of absence will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and can only be authorised by the Headteacher for a leave of absence form which must be completed and presented to school 4 weeks before you wish to travel. Exceptional Circumstances are defined as ‘one-off’ occasions where a request for leave of absence is unavoidable and does not cover annually occurring family holiday. Please complete a Leave of Absence Request Form, available from the school Office or the school website and submit no later than four weeks prior to the start of the leave. In order for the Headteacher to reach an informed decision, please include as much detail as possible to explain why exceptional circumstances apply.
Why is punctuality important?
It's a GREAT START to the day, putting your child in a positive frame of mind to make the most of the day's learning and activities. Punctuality is linked to good attendance and good attenders have more opportunities, more support and therefore achieve more. It helps your child make friends (in the playground) which leads to improved self-confidence and therefore SUCCESS. It sets your child up for their future-whether it is college, work or university, they could lose their place or lose their job if they think it's acceptable to be late.
Types of lateness
Late before the register closes your child is a few minutes late-but they have missed the opportunity to say hello to and play with friends. They are likely to feel unsettled and embarrassed as they start morning lessons.
Late after the register closes this counts as an unauthorised absence and will show on your child's attendance record. Not only has your child missed the chance to meet with their friends before school, they are likely to have missed the start of lessons and could feel unsettled, embarrassed and much less confident than their classmates as the lesson moves on.
Top Tips
- Get to know your child's school timetable-work together to make sure they have everything ready the night before PE kit, uniform and homework.
- Get your child into the habit of doing their homework in the evening-instead of in the morning at the breakfast table.
- Make sure your child has a good bedtime routine so they get plenty of rest and don't struggle out of bed in the morning-not a bad idea for parents either.
- Invest in a good, reliable alarm clock-make setting it part of your child's bedtime routine.
- Try to ensure your child has a good breakfast to set them up for the day-we have a super breakfast club you could use if you need to be at work early.
- Have a back-up plan for getting your child to school in case something crops up-friends or family perhaps neighbours who are taking they children to school anyway.
- Allow lots of time for your journey to school.
- If you are finding it difficult to get your child to school on time, talk to a teacher and ask for help.
Contact school: 01952 388450
Education Welfare Officer: Alison pike
Attendance Nominated Person: Kathryn Tracz
Attendance Champions: Sarah Abdulla and Natalie Woods.
NHS information about when your child is too ill to come to school. Please click link below:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/