Attendance Information

Regular school attendance is an important part of giving children the best possible start in life. The aim should be to attend 100% of the time. Children who miss school frequently fall behind with their work and do less well in exams. 

Parents/carers must inform school of an absence as soon as possible.  It is important that the school office is contacted on the first day of absence before 9am. If we have not been notified of an absence, a phone call and possibly a home visit will be made.

Authorised absences are acceptable reasons for absence and cover things like sickness, religious holidays, attendance at court, clinic appointments etc.

Unauthorised absences are absences where no acceptable reason is given and includes things like shopping, going to the airport, a relative visiting, being off school for their birthday, buying shoes, going for a haircut, parent unwell, trips out etc. All dental appointments must be made for after school or during the school holidays. Please try to make doctor's appointments before or after school, and please bring proof of the appointment.

Both the school and the Local Authority Education Welfare Officer on behalf of the Government monitor the attendance of each child. The Education Welfare Officer visits the school each week and she contacts families where children are absent and the school has not been given a reason or where there is a pattern of absenteeism from school. Targets will be set to be met by the parent(s)/guardians of the child. If targets are not met, parents may be fined and/or prosecuted via the courts.

What if my child is late for school?

It is very important that all children are in school on time. A child will be recorded as being late if they arrive in their classroom after 9am.  If a child arrives after their classroom doors are closed, they must be brought by the parent/carer to the main entrance, where they will be signed into school and given a LATE mark. 

It is equally as important that children should be picked up from school promptly.  If for any reason you find that you are going to be late, please contact the school so that we know what is happening.  

What happens if we have to go away in term time?

The Department for Education states that parents/carers do not have a right to take their children out of school during term time.

The law requires that once a child is on the school’s register, they should be sent to school every day that it is open. There is no right to time off for holidays and we will only agree to a holiday in exceptional circumstances.