Attendance at School

We always want children to attend school and we pride ourselves on having above national average attendance year on year. 

Illness

However, we recognise that from time to time your child maybe ill or have an appointment and cannot attend school. If this is the case you need to do the following;

• Ring the school office (01623 455940) to inform us your child is going to be off school. 

On occasions your child may become ill at school. 

If your child is a little under the weather our staff and first aiders will see your child and we will always ring you on the phone numbers, you have provided us with. 

We may decide to,

• make your child comfy at school, reduce demands on them and monitor them closely. 
• ask you to collect your child as soon as possible
• ring 111 to ask for further advice if it is not an emergency 
• ring 999 if we believe it to be an emergency

In all cases we will attempt to make contact with you, so you are aware of our intended actions, and so you can help us in the decision-making process. 

 

Persistent and Unexplained Absence from School

If you do not call school to let us know your child is not in school or there is not a good reason for your absence, a member of our school team will contact you.

If we cannot contact you, we will try the other numbers you have provided us with from the data collection sheet. On the rare occasion we cannot get hold of you through any of these numbers, our attendance lead along with the Headteacher will visit your house to ensure that you and your child are OK.  

We aim for all children to have 96% attendance or above each year. We appreciate that due to medical appointments, seasonal bugs and anxiety-related issues, pupils may fall below this.

We always want to support families and children where attendance becomes a more significant issue. We support attendance issues in the same way as we do most other things; we offer a personalised approach. This may include strategies such as,

• Daily monitoring of absence
• Holding 1:1 meetings with parents
• Home visits from our Attendance Lead
• Designing a personalised timetable which looks to integrate children back into school slowly 
• Seeking advice from medical and other professionals
• Targeted support referrals
• Rewards & incentives for improvements.

This list is not exhaustive and, in every case, we will look to work with families to improve attendance. 

Excellent news: 100% attendance

Good news: 96 – 99.9% attendance

Concerns raised: 95 – 90% attendance

Serious concerns (PA - Persistent absence): 90% and below attendance

 

Late/Absence Procedures

Punctuality

In promoting a positive attitude and punctuality amongst children and their families, the school will ensure an appropriate and uninterrupted education for all pupils, so that the highest standards of attainment can be reached.

This can be achieved through the Head Teacher, staff, governors, the education welfare service and children and their families working together. 

It really is important to arrive at school on time.

The school bell rings at 8:50am each day.

This is a vital time of the day and we encourage parents to wait until 8:50am as the doors open.

If you arrive with your child later than 8:55am, they will receive a late mark and will have missed the register.

They will also miss handwriting, phonics or any number of other vital learning opportunities.

 

PLEASE BE ON TIME … EVERY DAY. IT REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 

Medicines in school

Your child does not need to be kept at home just because they are taking medication.

Miss Riley or Ms Kirkland from the school office can administer medicines in school if written consent has been given by a parent/carer filling in our 'Consent form for the administration of drugs' form.

(A printable copy can be found below for you to print and sign if you are unable to visit the school office).

Medicines prescribed three times a day can be given before school at home, when the child arrives back home and then before bed.

Regular and emergency medication or creams can be given to a child if a consent form or care plan is completed by parents/carers.

Please speak to the school office staff for any enquiries.

 

Further guidance

Below is a table from the Public Health Agency which offers advice about keeping your child off school.