Attendance is important for the development of students. We believe strongly in enabling all students to achieve. We aim to inspire the pupils of today to become leaders of tomorrow and expect all parents and carers to support us in achieving this goal by ensuring their child attends school on time.

Regular Attendance

Regular attendance at school promotes pupils’ well-being, maximises progress in learning and helps pupils reach their potential. The attendance pattern for all children is monitored weekly with the school seeking to work actively with parents to ensure a regular pattern is maintained. One of our basic principles is to celebrate success. Good attendance is fundamental to a successful and fulfilling school experience. It is our duty to promote 100% attendance for all children. For our children to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered it is vital that our pupils are at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.

Attendance Facts: 
Attendance of 95% for the year equals 10 days that your child has been absent, that is 2 full school weeks of your child’s learning missed for that year.

Attendance of 90% for the year equals 19 days that your child has been absent, that is almost 4 school weeks missed.

Attendance of 85% for the year equals 29 days that your child has been absent per, that is almost 6 school weeks missed.

Attendance of 80% for the year equals 38 days absent per year that is over 7 school weeks missed.

Punctuality Matters

School starts at 8:30 and we would appreciate your help in ensuring your child is in school by this time, thank you.

Being frequently late for school adds up to lost learning.

Arriving 5 minutes late every day adds up to over 3 days lost each year.

Arriving 15 minutes late every day adds up to 2 weeks absence a year.

Arriving 30 minutes late every adds up to 19 days absence a year.

If you have any further worries, concerns or require any support then please contact Mrs Blackiston.

Attendance Awards

We regularly give (termly and annually) certificates, to all the children who have achieved 98%, or more, attendance. A special award is given to the year group who has the best attendance each term.  Any class who has 100% attendance for a week will have a MUFTI day.  Children who have 100% attendance (termly and annually) become a member of the 100% club and get a special treat.   

Absence During Term Time

Regular attendance and punctuality at school is essential for every child.  As set down by the Department for Education, schools are only able to authorise absence from school in 'exceptional circumstances'. Exceptional circumstances include, for example, occasions where the timing of an event is outside of your control, such as a family wedding or funeral.  Exceptional circumstances are events that are not going to occur again. Please note there is no general right to authorise absence for a family holiday and if you take your child out of school without permission the absence will be unauthorised and a Penalty Notice may be considered.   

In making a request for an authorised absence from school, parents will need to explain why the circumstances are exceptional, with evidence to support your application, via our Absence Request Form which can be found below. We will then contact you regarding whether the absence can be authorised. 

Request for 'Leave of Absence' Form

Sickness Absence

If your child is unwell please telephone the school absence line on 01753 645828  selecting Option 1, on each morning of their absence to inform the school of their absence.

If we have not received a message that your child is absent, a member of staff will telephone you to find out where your child is.  This is for your child’s safety and to ensure that we know they are safe, so please be understanding if you receive a call from us.

 If you are not sure how long your child should be absent from school due to illness, please refer to the document below for guidance.

Guidance On Infection Control In Schools

How Can Parents Help?

There are a number of important steps that you can take to ensure your son/daughter maintains a high level of attendance:

• Ensure your son/daughter attends every day, on time, equipped and ready to learn.
• If your son/daughter is absent from the school, it is vital that a parent contacts the school at the earliest opportunity to provide a sufficient reason for absence.
• Ensure the school has up to date addresses and telephone numbers. We will contact you  by telephone if your son/daughter is absent and you have not contacted the school.
• If your son/daughter is ill, contact the school on everyday your son/daughter is absent.
• If you wish to check that your son/daughter has arrived at school, please contact the school office and they will inform you if your son/daughter has been registered. 
• If no contact is received regarding the absence, it is recorded as unauthorised. Ultimately the school is responsible for deciding if the absence is acceptable or not. Only genuine absence will be authorised.
• Ensure that medical appointments are made outside of school time.
• Holidays should not be taken in school time. Holidays will not be authorised during term time.
• Respond to school letters or telephone calls regarding attendance and punctuality.
• Contact your son/daughter’s teacher if you are experiencing difficulty in getting your son/daughter into school.