Attendance

Effects of Late Arrival at School

When a child arrives late to school, they miss important events like;

• Assembly
• Teacher instructions and introductions.
• Children can often also feel embarrassed at having to enter the classroom late.

Frequent lateness can add up to a considerable amount of learning being lost. This can seriously disadvantage children and disrupt the learning of others

Absence and Punctuality

Absences

We respectfully ask that Parents notify the school, by 8.30am that morning, if their child is unable to attend for any unavoidable reason, such as illness. If the school does not receive notification, We will text/telephone on the first day of absence, to try to ascertain the reason.First day contact will be carried out as early as possible in the school day. If the child is still too unwell to attend the following day, parents will need to telephone the school again before 8.30am on the following and any further subsequent days of absence.

To safeguard the pupil, we cannot assume that they are still unwell so please do continue to inform us so we know why they have not arrived at school. If a child is absent for longer than 3 days due to ill health, medical evidence may need to be provided in order that the school can authorise the absence.

If after 3 days of absence, your child has not been seen and contact has not been made with the school, we will make all reasonable enquiries to establish contact with parents/carers and the child, including making enquiries to known friends and wider family. In the event of an absence of three or more days without contact from the family, a home visit will be made.

What to do if your child is unable to attend

• Please contact us every day of your child's absence giving the reason and the expected date of return. By phone: 0333 360 2160
• Report absence on Arbor

Schools are only able to approve leave of absence for exceptional circumstances. Leave of absence is unlikely to be approved for the purposes of a family holiday. There are some reasons for absence that under normal circumstances will be approved without any problems:

• Attending a family funeral, hospital or medical appointments, for example. Even then, requests will only be granted within the bounds of a sensible amount of time. Should you wish to put in a request for a leave of absence in term time, please request a form from the school office.

We will not authorise:

• Shopping Days Birthdays
• Looking after other family members
• Taking all your children to appointments when it only relates to one child Waiting in for trades people
• Family holidays
• Unapproved sporting events
• Any time off when no reason is given
• Visiting relatives
• Getting up late
• Missing the bus
• Poor weather – unless authorised by school
• Days out