Good attendance at school is a significant factor which ensures children have the opportunity to fulfil their learning potential.

Attendance

When it is necessary for children to be absent from school, parents are asked to telephone school to let us know and explain the reason for the absence.

In terms of safeguarding, if we are not informed of the absence by 9.30am,

we will text to ask you the reason why, and if necessary we will ring the child’s home.

If we still have no contact from you, the Attendance Officer will try to visit your home and the child will be marked with an unauthorised absence. If your child is absent for more than three days please ring school with an update. The Headteacher should be notified as soon as possible in the case of prolonged or serious illness or accident.

Instructions from the Department for Education state that an absence is unauthorised if the school is not notified of the reason for it or if the school does not grant permission for the absence. Unauthorised absences are recorded on the child’s report.  

We use a Traffic Light system to identify pupils’ attendance and discuss individual cases on a weekly basis. Where children have sound reasons for absence, there is no intervention. However, where children are beginning to fall into unacceptable patterns of attendance, we refer to our Family Support Worker or Attendance Officer.  

Green: over 95%, Amber: 90-95%, Red: below 90%

The Attendance Officer will visit the parents if we have concerns over attendance. We expect all children to arrive on time for school (8.55am) except in exceptional circumstances, and therefore set a 99% punctuality target.  

If your child has any kind of medical appointment, please let us know in advance, as it can be marked as an authorised absence. Please be aware that medical appointments will effect your child’s overall attendance. A form should be completed at least 24 hours prior to the appointment. This must be authorised by the School Business Manager.  

Holidays

Due to new Government Guidelines the Head Teacher can no longer authorise holiday taken in term time. Holidays affect whole school attendance as well as pupil achievement. If your child’s attendance falls below 90% their details will be passed to the Attendance Officer who may visit you at home. Fines for poor attendance may be issued. Only absence due to Special Circumstances will be authorised at the Head’s discretion.