Attendance and Punctuality

Absence during term time has the potential to interrupt continuity of teaching and learning, as well as disrupt the educational progress of individual children.

We aim to minimise the amount of time lost to term time absence through a policy which actively discourages parents from arranging periods of absence during term time unless in exceptional circumstances.

This policy is intended to be a clear statement regarding the issue of term time absence, and to ensure that the amount of teaching and learning time lost to absence such as term time holidays, is as a result, minimised. The Headteacher will be consistent in making robust and informed decisions with regard to the authorising /non-authorising of leave for absence to ensure that parents develop a consistent understanding of the response which they may expect.

The Headteacher will decide what might constitute as “exceptional circumstances”. Such circumstances might include the following:

• A parent, grandparent or other close relative is seriously/terminally ill;
• There has recently been a death or significant other trauma in the family and it is felt that an immediate period of absence might help the child concerned better deal with the situation.

Requests for term time absence

Sometimes requests for term-time absence are unavoidable and Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Each request will be considered individually and the requesting parent will be contacted with a response to their request; whether it has been granted and if the absence is authorised or unauthorised.

Please note that holidays taken during term time, without prior permission from school, could result in legal sanctions for irregular attendance being taken against you and a penalty notice may be issued. The 2007 regulations set out the procedure for issuing penalty notices (a £60 fine payable within 21 days or £120 within 28 days) to each parent who fails to ensure their children’s regular attendance at school.

We also try to conduct home visits when children are absent from school without explanation and we are unable to contact them.

Punctuality

Being at school on time and ready to learn is so important! When children are late to school they miss valuable learning time.

You may be contacted to attend an attendance and punctuality review meeting with senior leaders in the school if your child has poor punctuality so we can look at how to support families to improve this.

If your child is absent from School please call the absent line only.