ATTENDANCE

We expect the highest standards of attendance and punctuality. Children every day and on time is key to steady progress and enjoyment of learning, and for this reason the school is dedicated to ensuring maximum attendance.

Our School Day

Time  Activity 
8.30   School gates open and pupils should arrive at school.  

Registers ‘open’, class teachers monitor which pupils are physically in school on the register. 

8.45  School gates close and learning starts, pupils should be in school. 

Pupils arriving after this will need to enter via the school office and will be marked as ‘L’ Late 

9.00  Any pupil arriving after registers close but before the end of the session (morning or afternoon) will be marked as ‘U’ and will count as an ABSENCE.  

    

  • It is essential for the safety of all pupils that we know if pupils are ging to be absent.  
  • Parents must contact the school before 8.30am if their child in not going to attend school that day. 

 

WHAT IS GOOD ATTENDANCE?

100% = Our target for every child
97%+ = Excellent
96% - 97% = Good
94% - 95% = BEGINNING TO CAUSE CONCERN
BELOW 93% = WORRYING AND LESS CHANCE OF SUCCESS
90% = PERSISTENT ABSENCE SERIOUS ATTENDANCE CONCERN

LOST MINUTES = LOST LEARNING

5 minutes late per day = 3 DAYS LOST
10 minutes late per day = 6 DAYS LOST
15 minutes late per day = 9 DAYS LOST
20 minutes late per day = 12 DAYS LOST
30 minutes late per day = 18 DAYS LOST EACH YEAR!

FAILURE TO ATTEND SCHOOL

“Failure to attend school regularly can have a major impact on young people’s education, their future and their life chances.”

We have a comprehensive Attendance and Absence Policy; absences are strongly discouraged.

Penalty notices may be used as a deterrent to prevent a pattern of unauthorised absences developing.

ILLNESS

It can be tricky deciding whether to keep your child off school when they are unwell. Most illnesses are very mild, like a minor headache or a slight cold. If you decide to keep your child at home, it’s important to phone the school before 9am to let them know why they will be absent. Parents need to call school every day, it is not acceptable to say that your child will be absent all week.

ROUTINE MEDICAL AND DENTAL APPOINTMENTS

Wherever possible, make medical and dental appointments after school or in school holidays.

WHAT ABOUT TAKING MY CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL TO GO ON HOLIDAY?

There are 13 weeks of school holidays per year. Taking holidays during term time still affects a child’s attendance.
Term time holiday + absence due to illness (or other reason) = Significant impact on your child’s attendance
You must get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.
You can only do this if:
* you make an application to the head teacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with)
* there are exceptional circumstances
It’s up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.