School Attendance

Regular attendance is vitally important! No child can learn if there are many days lost due to absence and the school must account for all absence from school.

If for some reason your child is absent it is vital you notify us by telephoning school, or sending a note, as this avoids the need for formal enquiries. We keep a written record of all telephone calls regarding absence and if adequate explanation is offered the absence will be regarded as authorised.  It is essential that you understand the regulations concerning absence.  Unless we receive notification of why your child is away from school we regard the absence as unauthorised and your child’s report and academic record will be endorsed to his effect.  Failure to do so will result in an absence form being sent home.  We also require prior notification of any hospital or dental appointments you may have, to enable us to record these accurately.

Children who are late to school

It helps if your child arrives at school not more than 10 minutes and not less than 5 minutes before the session opens. We are obliged to mark late all children who are not present when the register is taken. Any child who arrives more than 30 minutes late will be marked as an unauthorised absence.

Children who arrive late enter by the main door; this will be recorded and monitored. Persistent latecomers will be contacted via letter from school.  If their timekeeping does not improve then the Education Welfare Officer will become involved.

Children who are left at the end of the day

Sometimes children are left uncollected at the end of the day.  Every effort is made to contact parents/carers.  The children are brought to the office.  If parents cannot be contacted then Social Services take responsibility of the children.

Attendance during SATs

Parents of Year Two children are reminded that their children undertake statutory tests during the first half of the summer term. Parents of Year Six children are strongly reminded to note the dates of the Key Stage Two SATs tests and also understand that attendance up to this date is crucial in ensuring your child achieves well.