If your child is absent, you must:
• contact us as soon as possible on the first day of absence, ideally by 9.00am
If your child is absent, we will:
• telephone you on the first day of absence if we have not heard from you
| Attendance (%) | What this means for your child: | What will happen? |
| 96% - 100% | Your child's attendance is on-track. They are attending school and have access to learning opportunities. | Your child will be rewarded, each term with an attendance certificate. |
| 90% - 96 % | Your child is falling below threshold or in danger of becoming persistently absent. | This will be monitored by their class teacher and the attendance officer. |
| Below 90% | Your child has lost 10 or more days of learning and is classified as 'persistently absent. | An attendance meeting with Miss Leavesley and an education welfare officer will be triggered. If absence is unauthorised the school can request that the Attendance & Prosecution Service issue Parents/Carers with Penalty Notices. |
Schools are legally required to take a register of pupils first thing in the morning and at some point in the afternoon. We close our registers 10 minutes after registration.
If your child is late but the register is still open, they are marked as late. If the register has already closed when your child arrives late and without a satisfactory explanation, it may be classed as an unauthorised absence. This may lead to legal action for not ensuring regular and punctual school attendance.
Punctuality is important because if, for example, a child arrives 15 minutes late at school each day, they lose almost 2 weeks of education a year.
If you are thinking of taking your child out of school during term time, school will require you to complete a Leave of Absence form (which can be printed from this webpage or collected from the school office). Please attach any supporting evidence for the leave request and provide an explanation as to why the Leave of Absence is required.
Leave of Absence requests can only be granted if the principal considers that the request meets “exceptional circumstances”. If the principal does not authorise the Leave of Absence but the children are absent during the requested time, parents may receive a penalty notice (fine). Legislation introduced in September 2013 stated that Head Teachers can no longer authorise 10 days holiday during term time. Factors including your child’s current attendance may influence whether leave of absence is authorised.
Please note if a Leave of Absence is not requested and the child is then absent from school, the school can request that the Attendance & Prosecution Service issue Parents/Carers with Penalty Notices.
| Acceptable/authorised reasons for absence | Unacceptable/unauthorised reasons for absence |
| Illness, Emergency appointments | Birthday treats, Holidays, Haircuts , Shopping, Visiting relatives, Minor illnesses, Attending appointments with a sibling or parent |
Regular attendance at school means that your child can make the most of their education and improve their chances in adult life. School can also help your child’s social skills such as making and developing friendships. A regular and punctual attendance pattern will help your child when they enter the world of work.
The link between attendance and attainment in school is clear. The more a pupil is in school the more they increase their opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Helping children to create a pattern of regular attendance is everybody’s responsibility - parents and carers, pupils, and all members of school staff. If you need any support with your child’s attendance, please speak with our attendance officer who would be happy to help.
