Attendance
Regular school attendance is crucial for your child’s academic and social development, achievement, and future opportunities. We believe that a strong partnership between parents and the school is essential to ensure every child can reach their potential. Our goal is for each child to achieve over 96% attendance, equating to fewer than 8 days absent per year.
Consistent school attendance is the foundation of your child’s success. There is a clear correlation between attendance and academic achievement.
Good attendance and punctuality are essential for your child to:
- to engage fully with the curriculum so they can learn and develop
- regular attendance helps your child form strong social connections with their peers
- success in school can enhance your child's self-image, boosting their self-confidence and esteem.
- interacting with peers regularly improves your child's social abilities.
- consistent attendance enables your child to make steady progress and achieve their goals.
Parental Responsibilities and Legal Obligations
As parents, you have a legal duty to ensure your child attends school regularly. Absences must be recorded as either authorised or unauthorised. With 190 school days each year, there are 175 days available for holidays, shopping, and non-urgent appointments, so absences for these reasons are unlikely to be authorised.
Managing Attendance Concerns
If attendance becomes a concern, we will collaborate with parents and our Educational Welfare Officer to provide support and guidance.
Holidays during term time
Government regulations stipulate that Head Teachers can only grant leave during term time for exceptional circumstances. If you plan to take your child out of school for reasons other than illness or medical appointments, please complete a 'leave of absence form' in advance (hyperlink leave of absence form here). The school will review your request and respond within 3 weeks.
Unauthorised holidays may result in a fixed penalty fine from the Local Authority. Starting August 2024, new guidance has been issued regarding unauthorised absences. If a child accumulates 10 or more unauthorised absences in a term, the Local Authority will issue a fixed penalty notice. The penalty is £60 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, rising to £120 if paid within 28 days. Failure to pay within 28 days may result in prosecution.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY
Should my child go to school today?
Please see the advice and guidance from the NHS as the whether your child is able to attend school.
https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/child-unwell-ok-go-nurseryschool
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/