There is an overwhelming connection between those pupils who are frequently absent from school and those who go on to underachieve.  Full attendance is therefore vital for your child’s educational progress and they are expected to attend for the full 190 days of the academic year, unless there is a good reason for absence.

If absence is unavoidable, please notify us via the School Gateway App or by telephone to let us know by 9am.  If school had not received a reason for absence we will try to contact you.  If within 5 days of the absence school has not been able to ascertain a reason for the absence, it will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’.  Unauthorised absences can result in enforcement action from the Local Authority.

In the event that your child has had symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they should not be sent into school until at least 48 hours after the last bout.  The same procedure should be followed if your child is sent home from school for vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

If your child needs to leave school during school time for an appointment, the office must be notified beforehand.  No child will be allowed to leave school during the school day unaccompanied.

The school, the Local Authority, and the DfE take attendance very seriously.  We have a dedicated Attendance Team in school comprising of Mrs Benians (Designated Senior Leader responsible for attendance) and Mrs Palmer (Admissions and Attendance).  We monitor attendance of all pupils and where concerns arise we aim to work with families to support improvement.

Punctuality

School doors open at 8.40am and close at 8.50am.  Class registration is closed at 9.00am.

Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time.

Any child arriving later than 9am should enter school via the main entrance and report to the school office.  Children who arrive after 9am will be recorded as late.  If punctuality becomes a concern, school will contact you to see how we can support you to get your child into school on time.

Leave of absence during term time

Parents are strongly urged to avoid taking leave during term time.  Parents do not have the right to take their child out of school.  Very few requests for holidays are authorised during term time as authorisation is only given in exceptional circumstances.

In exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to request leave of absence.  All such cases should be applied for in writing on the school’s Application for Request for Leave of Absence During Term Time form.

Parents should request leave of absence in advance and all requests should be submitted at least two weeks before the first day of intended absence using the form.

Forms can be picked up from the school office or downloaded here.