Attendance
As a school, we strive for all children to meet our attendance target of 96%. Regular school attendance is an important part of giving your child the best possible start in life. We expect all parents to support us by ensuring that their child attends punctually and as regularly as possible. We understand that children might be absent sometimes. If your child is absent, please inform the school office before 9am (01485 518344). You will need to do this each morning your child is absent.
What should I do if I wish to take my child on holiday in term time?
Parents should avoid taking their child on holiday during term time. The Headteacher is unable to authorise any absences during term time, unless there are special circumstances or medical evidence is provided. An absence request form must be completed. Your child’s class teacher will not set any work for unauthorised absences. If we are not informed about any absence, this will automatically be marked as unauthorised.
There is a single consistent national threshold for when a penalty notice must be considered by all schools in England of 10 sessions (usually equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10-school week period.
These sessions do not have to be consecutive and can be made up of a combination of any type of unauthorised absence. The 10-school week period can span different terms or school years.
First Offence:
The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days. Reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.
Second Offence (within 3 years):
The Second time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days.
Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years):
The third time an offence is committed a Penalty Notice will not be issued and the case will be presented straight to the Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecution can result in criminal records and fines of up to £2,500. Cases found guilty in Magistrates’ Court can show on the parent’s future DBS certificate due to ‘failure to safeguard a child’s education’.
Do I need to inform the academy when my child is absent?
Yes. It is most important that you do.
Under Department for Education regulations, all pupil absences must be accounted for and the Academy must publish an annual attendance return. Please leave us an answer machine message on 01485 518344 before 9am each morning your child is absent so that we are not left wondering whether the child is late, or has had a mishap on the way to school.
We know that children get poorly and need time off when they are too unwell for school. If you are unsure, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/.
What should I do if my child has a dental / doctor’s appointment during the academy hours?
You must let us know with written evidence. We need to point out that we cannot normally allow our pupils to leave the premises during the day to visit a clinic, surgery, etc. unless we have received written notification from the parents in advance. Failure to produce written evidence will result in an unauthorised absence.
