Attendance

Children with good attendance are more likely to do well at school and have the best chance of achieving their full potential. Missing occasional days at school may seem unimportant, however when children are absent, it can lead to gaps in their learning which might make future lessons more difficult for them and future success a greater challenge.

Regular attendance at school also helps children to feel part of their school community and enables them to develop good friendships and relationships with their peers and other members of the school community. Developing positive relationships can have a positive impact on a child’s confidence independence, resilience, mental health and wellbeing and can help them feel more settled in school. When a child attends school every day, it helps establish good routines and habits for later life.

School Day Starts at 8:45am

School Gates Open at 8:35am*

School Gates Close at 8:50am

*gates open at 8:35am for children and their parents to be greeted by members of their class teaching team and any messages shared

School Day Ends at 3:15pm

School Gates Open at 3:10pm

Like all schools, we are required by law to record late arrivals. If your child arrives at school after the class register closes (9:00am), they will be recorded as arriving late. If your child arrives after the school register closes (9:15am), their lateness will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, unless evidence can be provided to support exceptional circumstances leading to the late arrival. If your child arrives after the school gates have closed, they must be accompanied by an adult to the school office. Your child should be signed in (in-line with Health & Safety and Fire Regulations) and a reason for their lateness must be given. If you know that your child will arrive at school late, you should contact the school office by 9:15am to inform them of this. 

The most important thing families can do is ensure children attend school regularly and that they are on time. Children like routine and feel reassured by it, so developing good habits at an early age will benefit children, now and in the future. It is important that ecah child understands the significance of attending school regularly - building a positive attitude towards school is key to this and families can support this by talking positively about school, showing an interest in their child’s day and their learning and celebrate their achievements. 

Illness

If your child is too ill to attend school, or they are absent due to following NHS advice (i.e. sickness, infectious illness etc.), you should contact the school office by 9:15am via telephone or ClassDojo to inform them of this and provide a reason for the absence. Failure to contact the school office could result in an unauthorised absence being registered. 

Medical / Dental Appointments

Where possible, all routine and non-emergency medical and dental appointments should be made outside of school hours and during school holidays. If your child is required to attend a medical / dental appointment (emergency or scheduled), the school office should be informed as soon as possible so the register can be updated accordingly.

Family Holidays and Time Off

The Department for Education does not consider the need or desire for a family holiday or other leave of absence for the purpose of leisure and/or recreation to be an exceptional circumstance and the child’s absence will be recorded as unauthorised. The Department of Education states that any leave of absence during term time should be applied for in advance and schools are not permitted to authorise any absence retrospectively. You should expect that all requests for absence due to a holiday (regardless of length) will be declined and your child’s absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Fines and Penalty Notices

Guidelines from the Department for Education state that parents / carers who fail to ensure that their child attends school regularly or who remove their children from school without consent, especially for the purposes of a family holiday, may receive a fine.

Requesting An Absence in Advance

If you wish to request a planned leave of absence for your child, a ‘Pupil Absence Request Form’ should be completed and submitted to the school office as soon as possible, and in advance of the period of planned absence. ‘Pupil Absence Request Forms’ are available in paper copy and digital format. Should you require a copy of the form, please drop into the School Office or e-mail to request one or download the form below.