Absences

Good attendance is fundamental to a successful and fulfilling school experience. We actively promote 100% attendance for all our pupils and we use a variety of weekly, termly and annual awards to promote good attendance and punctuality.

Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their child(ren) attend school regularly and arrive on time. Full attendance is essential to the all round development of the child and they should be allowed to take full advantage of educational opportunities available to them by law. Poor attendance undermines their education and sometimes puts pupils at risk, encouraging anti-social behaviour.

ABSENCE PROCEDURES

It is the parent's responsibility to contact the school on the first day their child is absent before 8.45am.

This is a safeguarding measure so that all parties know that your child is safe.

If your child is absent you must:

• Contact us as soon as possible on the first day of absence, either by telephone or in person at reception; if you are calling before the Office is open, there is a voicemail service where you can safely leave your message detailing the reason for absence. 

   

  If your child is absent we will:

• Telephone you on the first day of absence if we have not heard from you;

• Invite you in to discuss the situation with a member of our Senior Leadership Team if absences persist;

• Refer the matter to the Education Welfare Officer if attendance moves below 90%, or more than 10 unauthorised absences are recorded.

   

  LATENESS

  Poor punctuality is not acceptable. If your child misses the start of the day they can miss work as well as vital time with their class teacher getting crucial information and news for the day. Late arriving pupils also disrupt lessons or worship, this can be embarrassing for the child and can also encourage further absence.

   

  Pupils are expected to arrive by 8.55am. All pupils that arrive late must report, with their parent, to the school office where the reason for lateness is recorded.

   

  If your child has a persistent late record you will be asked to meet with a member of the Senior Leadership Team to work at resolving the problem. You can approach us at any time if you are having problems getting your child to school on time. We are always happy to help and support.

   

   

  SPECIAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING TERM TIME

  Taking a special leave of absence during term time will affect your child’s schooling as much as any other absence and we expect parents to help us by not taking children away from school during term time. There is no automatic entitlement in law to time off school during term.

   

  Any applications for special leave must be made in advance. Our Headteacher - Mrs Wall - may authorise leave where there are exceptional circumstances (supporting documentation may be required). In making a decision, Mrs Wall will consider the exceptional circumstances of each application individually, and may invite parents in to school to discuss the requested leave.

   

  Any period of leave taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed, will be classed as unauthorised and may attract sanctions such as a Penalty Notice.