Attendance

We believe that regular attendance is essential for students to achieve their best and benefit fully from their education. Attending school every day helps students build strong relationships, develop key life skills and prepare for future success.

Reporting an absence

If your child is unable to attend school, please notify the school as soon as possible: Contact us

Day 1:

Contact the school to report the absence and provide the reason and expected return date.

Day 3:

If your child is still absent, you will be contacted for an update. This will either be through a telephone call or a home visit. This is for safeguarding reasons. If we home visit, we will insist on seeing your child, if we do not see your child we will contact social services, and in some cases the police. We may also require medical evidence.

First day calling policy

If your child is absent from the school, you must contact us on the first day, either by telephone, via Facebook or in person. We cannot accept a child telling us about another child's absence, it must be reported by a responsible adult. If you have not contacted us you will either receive a text message or telephone call. If we are unable to contact you then their absence will be unauthorised, which will lead to further action being taken.

School attendance and the law

Parents and carers are legally responsible for ensuring their child attends school regularly and punctually. Failure to do so could result in legal action by the local authority.

Under the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006, only the school can authorise an absence – not parents or carers.

Time off for holidays during term time is not a legal right. Any request for a leave of absence must be made in advance by completing an absence form and submitting it to the school office. If a holiday is taken without permission, the absence will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’ and could result in legal action.

You can read the government advice here:

https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence

Why is attendance important?

Regular school attendance is essential because:

It is a legal requirement for children aged 5 to 16
It supports academic success and future opportunities
Schools have a safeguarding responsibility for all students
It helps develop social skills and strong relationships
Schools have a safeguarding responsibility for all students
It ensures students gain the qualifications they need for their next steps in education or employment

Attendance expectations

Students are expected to attend school every day
Punctuality is important—students must arrive on time for both morning and afternoon registration
The minimum target for attendance is 98%
Parents should schedule appointments and holidays outside of term time wherever possible

How families can support good attendance

Encourage good sleep and morning routines
Be firm about attending school unless your child is genuinely unwell
Communicate with the school about any barriers to attendance
Seek support early if you have any concerns

Requesting a leave of absence

If you do choose to take your child on holiday during term time then you must complete a holiday request form, at least 2 weeks before your holiday. Holidays are very rarely authorised and only would be in extreme circumstances. We ask you to complete the form for safeguarding reasons. If you do not, then the procedures under the Third day of absence heading will be followed. If your child has 10 unauthorised sessions (5 days) then you will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice.

‍No parent can demand leave of absence for the purpose of a holiday as a right.

Long term illness

‍If your child has an illness that may affect them long term, we will require evidence from a medical professional and we will meet with the family to discuss care plans and how we can work together to ensure the child’s education is not disrupted.

Attendance below 97%

‍If your child’s attendance drops below 97% you will receive a letter informing you that your child’s attendance will be monitored. If their attendance does not improve then you will be invited to a meeting, where the school nurse and social worker will be in attendance. Following this, if attendance has still not improved then we will go down the legal route. You will become involved in an Attendance Case Conference (ACC) this will be a formal meeting, and an action plan will be created. You will be expected to attend these meetings. If the action plan is not adhered to, you will then be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice, which to date is £80 per parent, per child and if it is not paid within 30 days, the fine will double to £160.

Rewards

As part of our commitment to our children we celebrate and reward their efforts and that of their families when attendance meets our expectations.

- Classes with 100% attendance will receive a sweet treat in the afternoon of that day. Weekly class attendance winners will get to wear non-uniform the following Monday. The class with the best attendance for the whole term will have a party with jelly and ice-cream!
- At the end of each half-term, pupils whose attendance is 100% or above have their names added to a draw for a Family treat. Prizes have included Leisure passes and restaurant vouchers.
- Pupils who have made significant improvements in their attendance will be awarded a certificate, their efforts celebrated and a special mug with treats inside.

‍97%+ & 100% attendance

- At the end of the academic year, all pupils' with 100% attendance have their names added to a draw with the chance to win a family treat - this year a family treat hamper and a voucher to go to the cinema.
- Children with 100% attendance also head off to the seaside to play on the beach, build sandcastles and enjoy fish and chips!
- Children with 97% attendance or above across the year enjoy a 'class party' with food, drinks, games and music

Punctulity

It is essential that your child arrives at the school on time. The morning bell rings for children to enter school at 8.40am, so that all our KS1 and KS2 pupils enter via the veranda steps in the KS2 playground. A prompt, punctual start to the day sets a positive tone for learning for the rest of the day. Being just 5 minutes late each day adds up to 16 hours of lost learning time over the year! If your child is late they may miss out on feedback, targeted support that would assist them to become the best that they can be - every minute really does count!
Our Year 6 pupils' day begins a little earlier at 8.15am when they enjoy a healthy breakfast followed by an early start to their learning in their own breakfast hub.