Attendance / Absence

Importance of attendance at school

School education lays the vital foundations of a child’s life. Research clearly demonstrates the link between regular attendance and educational progress and attainment. Parents/carers and school staff should work in partnership in making education a success and in ensuring that all pupils have full and equal access to all that the school has to offer. All schools encourage parents and carers to ensure that their child achieves maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent this are identified and acted on promptly.

Expectations

We expect that all pupils will:

• Attend school every day
• Attend school punctually

We expect that all parents/carers will:

• Ensure regular school attendance and be aware of their legal responsibilities.
• Ensure that their child arrives at school punctually.
• Discuss promptly with the relevant school staff or alert the school office to any problems that may affect their child’s school attendance.

Absence during term time

Absence during term time will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances and only in VERY exceptional circumstances at the following times:

• KS2 SATs assessments;
• if attendance is under 96%;
• if there would be more than 10 days absence in any academic year, unless these are clearly accounted for as unavoidable and have been previously discussed with the school e.g. medical appointments

If absences are not authorised, and they are still taken, the matter will be referred to the Attendance & Welfare Support Service (A&WSS) and a penalty notice requested. If unauthorised holiday is taken, no further absences will be authorised without medical evidence.

Parents/carers should make any request for term time absence on the Leave of Absence Request Form. Note: it is necessary to have the request signed by all parents/carers