Children get the most out of school – and the opportunities it offers - through uninterrupted attendance and being on time each morning. We work towards a goal of 100% attendance for all children.
Absences
We monitor closely all absences from school and ask our parents/carers to, when possible, to make medical and other appointments outside school hours. But when a child is absent from school due to sickness, we expect that the school is informed before 9.30am via the school office. This allows us to be sure that we know where all the children are and do not need to spend time chasing parents/carers.
The Headteacher has the discretion to grant absence from school in very exceptional circumstances but please note, family holidays in term time are never authorised.
Please complete and return a leave of absence form.
Download the Leave of Absence form - PDF
Download the Leave of Absence form - Word
Fixed Penalty Notice
Fixed penalty notices are changing for unauthorised absences nationally from September 2024.
Your child’s attendance at school is an important factor on the results they may be able to achieve as they progress through their education. Our teachers can’t teach children who have not turned up to school! The table below shows just how much impact time off can have, the lower the attendance, the harder it is to catch up with peers.
| 96%-100%
attendance |
Your child has the best chance of success! | Good.
Your child is able to take full advantage of every learning opportunity offered to them! |
| 90-95%
attendance |
Your child has missed at least 2 weeks of learning, that could be 10 literacy lessons and 10 maths lessons. | Requires improvement.
Your child has missed a significant amount of learning and will have to work hard to catch up and avoid gaps in their knowledge, |
| 85%-89% attendance | Your child has missed at least 4 weeks of learning, that could be 20 literacy lessons and 20 maths lessons. | Unsatisfactory.
Your child is now at risk of underachieving. They will need extra support from you ta catch up on missed work. |
| 80%-84% attendance | Your child has missed at least 5 ½ weeks of learning, that could be around 30 literacy lessons and 30 maths lessons.
|
Poor.
Your child’s poor attendance has had a significant impact on their learning and they will find it hard to catch up. These gaps in their learning are likely to cause them difficulties as they continue their learning in following years. |
| Below 80% attendance | Your child has missed at least 7 weeks of learning, that is more than a whole term’s worth of maths and literacy. | Inadequate.
Your child is missing out on their education. They will now struggle to catch up without significant additional support from home. You are at risk of prosecution. |
Lateness
Getting to school on time is important: it means that the teacher is able to begin the day’s learning without interruption and the children are settled. If a child is late for school, we ask that he or she goes to the school office to sign the late arrivals book.
Five minutes late each day adds up to 3 days missed from school over a year. 15 minutes late adds up to missing 2 weeks over a year!
Please help your child to be punctual – and this will help them in later life.