Attendance & Absence
All children are expected to be in school promptly by the start time. Children arriving more than 10 minutes after the start time should enter the school by the main entrance and notify the office staff of their late arrival. In the case of illness, the school should be contacted on the first day a child is absent from school, either by telephone, personal visit or letter by 9.30am. If a child fails to arrive at school and no message is received, the school will contact the parents to ensure the safety of the child concerned.
Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child attends school regularly, punctually, properly dressed, equipped and in a fit condition to learn. If a child is prevented for any reason from attending, or is late, parents are requested to notify the school as soon as possible.
A child's absence from school must be considered as unauthorised until a satisfactory explanation is forthcoming from the parent. Parents will be informed of any concerns, which may arise over a child's attendance. Parents should avoid, if at all possible, making routine medical/ dental appointments for their child during school hours or taking holidays during term time.
The school discourages parents from taking any holiday during term time because attendance at school is very important for all children. Parents do not have the right to take their children out for holidays during term time.
Please download this leaflet for more information.
However, there may be exceptional circumstances that will cause parents to take their children on holiday during term time. If parents apply to the Headteacher at the school in advance, the school may grant up to 10 days absence in any one school year to go on an annual family holiday. Holiday forms are available from the school office.
We ask parents of year 6 children not to book a holiday during May when statutory Key Stage 2 SATs take place and strongly advise parents of Year 2 children not to take holidays during March, April and May when assessment takes place. It is also inadvisable to take children on holiday during the first two weeks in September as it can be upsetting for a child to return and find out that he/she has missed the beginning of a school year when they have to join an established class.
