Reporting Absences

Being in school regularly and arriving on time helps children build friendships, feel part of our community and make progress in their learning. We work with families to support good attendance and address any difficulties that make attending school harder.

How to report an absence

If your child cannot attend school, please telephone 01709 583271 as soon as possible, and before 9:30am.

Please provide:

• Your child’s name and class.

• The reason for their absence, including the nature of any illness.

• When you expect them to return, if known.

Please keep us informed on each day of absence unless you have agreed another arrangement with the school office. You can leave a message on the answerphone if the office is closed.

Reporting an absence does not automatically mean it will be authorised. School records the absence according to the reason provided and the relevant attendance guidance.

If we have not heard from you

If your child is absent and we have not received an explanation, we will contact you to establish why they are not in school and check that they are safe.

Please ensure that the school office has your current telephone number and up-to-date emergency contact details.

Illness and medical appointments

Children should attend school when they are well enough to do so. If you are unsure whether your child should attend, please contact the school office for advice.

Where possible, arrange medical and dental appointments outside school hours. If an appointment must take place during the school day, please let the office know in advance and provide the appointment confirmation. Children should attend school before and after the appointment wherever possible.

If a health condition is affecting your child’s attendance, please speak to us so that we can discuss appropriate support.

Arriving late

Children should arrive promptly for the start of their school day. Our start times are:

• Reception and Key Stage 1: 8:35am

• Key Stage 2: 8:40am

If your child arrives late, please bring them to the school office so that their arrival can be recorded safely. Please also let us know if there is a difficulty affecting punctuality.

Support with attendance

If your child is finding it difficult to come to school, please speak to their class teacher, Miss Ward, Attendance and Welfare, or the school office as early as possible.

We will listen, work with you to understand the barriers and agree appropriate next steps. This may include support in school and, where helpful, working with other professionals.

We monitor attendance regularly and contact families where concerns arise. Our aim is to work together to help children attend consistently and access their education.

Requests for leave during term time

Please contact the school office to request leave of absence before making arrangements or booking travel.

The Principal considers each request individually. Leave during term time can only be authorised where there are exceptional circumstances. A family holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance.

If leave is not authorised and your child is absent, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. This may result in a referral to the local authority and a penalty notice or other legal action.

Penalty notices

Penalty notices are issued by the local authority. Under the national framework:

• A first penalty notice is £80 per parent, per child, if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days.

• A second penalty notice for the same parent and child within a three-year period is £160, payable within 28 days.

• A maximum of two penalty notices can be issued to the same parent for the same child within a three-year period. Further offences may lead to prosecution or other legal action.

Unpaid penalty notices may also lead to prosecution. Paying a penalty notice does not authorise the absence or give permission for future absence.

Attendance Information