When a pupil's attendance falls below 90%, they are classified as a persistent absentee, as defined by the DfE. We are in constant contact with the Local Authority and the school attendance service.  We monitor children's ongoing attendance and if concerns are identified, the Local Authority may be contacted and additional actions may be undertaken. 

 

We know that sometimes families find it difficult to get into school.  Let us know, as we are here to help you! 

 

Punctuality

Punctuality is crucial for effective learning and safeguarding. We expect all children to arrive on time every day, allowing for possible traffic delays by arriving early.

Lateness and non-attendance can hinder children's progress and disrupt the class. Being late can be distressing for your child and prevents them from settling into the school day with their peers.

 

Registration is 8:55am. The register will close at 9:10am. If your child arrives after 8.55am then they must be signed in at the school office by an adult and a reason for their lateness must be given.

Pupils arriving late for registration (after 8:55am) but before the register has closed will be recorded as late (L code). 

Pupils who arrive after 9.10am but attend during the session will be recorded as a U code unless the reason means another code is more appropriate.  The U code is an unauthorised absence. 

 

What to do when your child is too ill to attend school

To report your child’s illness and absence, please contact the school office on 01207 270397 by 9:15am. You must provide a reason for the absence.

Parents must ring in EACH day their child is absent (unless otherwise agreed). In certain cases, a medical letter may be required.

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​The government has provided some guidance on children’s illnesses that you may find useful.

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https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

Common illnesses like coughs, colds and sore throats are prevalent in schools especially during winter. While we encourage resilience in coping with minor illnesses, if we feel your child is not well enough to attend school, we will contact you to collect them.

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As part of our Safeguarding duty, we may conduct home visits if you have not informed us of your child’s absence.

If we determine that the reason for your child’s absence is not authorised, we may mark the absence as unauthorised. Any recurring absence patterns such as Mondays, Fridays or birthdays will be closely examined and school may involve the local authority if necessary.

 

Appointments in school time

• Appointments should be made outside of school time where possible.  If this is not possible, your child should miss the minimum amount of school time necessary.  Your child should return to school following the appointment if they are well enough to do so. Parents may be asked to provide evidence of appointments if they are during the school day.

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Leave of absence in term time

• Permission must be requested in advance by a parent the pupil normally lives with by completing a Leave of Absence form which can be collected from the school office or downloaded. The form must be signed.

• The DfE have stated that generally they do not consider the need or desire for a holiday or other absence for leisure or recreation to be an exceptional circumstance.

• The school is closed for 13 weeks each year, providing ample opportunity for holidays. Where a child has 10 unauthorised absence sessions recorded in any 10 school-week period, a referral for a penalty notice may be made.