Holidays

Holidays in term time interrupt the continuity of teaching and learning, disrupt the educational progress of individual children and create disruption in schools. Please note, for these reasons, we do not encourage parents to take holidays during term time.

School Attendance

We are committed, in partnership with the parents/carers, children, governors and the Local Authority, to building a school which serves the community and of which the community is proud. We firmly believe that all children benefit from regular school attendance. Full and regular attendance at school is crucial for a child’s future life chances and establishes a positive work ethic early in life. To this end, we will do all we can to encourage parents/carers to ensure their children achieve maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent full attendance are identified and acted on promptly. 

 Every day counts 

Pupils cannot achieve their full potential if they do not regularly attend school. We want every child to achieve their full potential and we know that parents share this goal. There is a clear link between good attendance and educational achievement. If your child is not in school, on time, as often as possible they will be missing out on many important parts of their education.

Why is regular attendance at school important?

Regular school attendance will mean that your child has a better chance in life. Your child will achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day as:

·         they learn better

·         they make friends

·         they are happier

·         they have a brighter future.

The Government regard 95% as the minimum satisfactory attendance for a school pupil.

Days off school add up to lost learning. Please don’t let your children miss out on the education they deserve.

We monitor attendance closely and contact parents to inform them and offer support where attendance has dropped and causes concern. We are always happy to work with families to support and improve attendance.

How does your child compare?

Reasons for Absence

Authorised Absence: an absence agreed by the Head Teacher with an explanation from parents

Unauthorised Absence: an absence not agreed or unexplained

Medical: an appointment such as hospital, doctor or dentist

Illness: illness as informed by the parent or on receipt of doctor’s/hospital notes if required.

Family emergencies need careful consideration. It is not always in the best interests of the pupil to miss school for family emergencies that are being dealt with by adult family members. School and school friendships and relationships can provide pupils with stability and care during difficult times. The routine of school can provide a safe and familiar background to life during times of upheaval.

Illness

If your child is unwell, please inform the office on the morning of each absence by school telephone. We are very happy for your child to return to school when they start to feel better, however, in line with national policy, please allow 48 hours before returning your children after sickness or diarrhoea. 

School Telephone: 01949 860056

Lateness

The school day starts between 8.40 and 8.50am and children enter school from the playground.  If you arrive after this time you must enter school through the school office reception.  Please ensure that you accompany your child into school as you will be required to fill out documentation as to the reason for lateness. Children arriving before the register closes at 9.00am are marked as ‘L’, children arriving after the register has closed are marked as ‘U’, this then counts towards their absence percentage.

As you may be aware, the law treats some persistent lateness in the same way as irregular attendance and parents may be prosecuted by the local authority if late arrival is not resolved.

Minutes late per day during the school year = Days worth of teaching lost in a year

5 mins= 3.4 days

10 mins = 6.9 days 

15 mins = 10.3 days 

20 mins = 13.8 days

30 mins = 20.7 days