Absence and Attendance

'Attendance is crucial to effective learning'

One of the most important things affecting a child’s progress at school is regular attendance. Regular attendance is not only a legal requirement but is essential for children to maximise their educational opportunities.  It is vital that parents work in partnership with the schools to encourage good attendance and punctuality.

Why is it important for children not to miss school?

All parents want the best for their children and for them to get on well in life. Having a good education is important to ensure that they have the best opportunities in their adult life. They only get one chance at school, and your child’s future may be affected by not attending school regularly. If children do not attend school regularly they may:

• Struggle to keep up with school work. In a busy school day it is difficult for schools to find the extra time to help a child catch up.
• Miss out on the social side of school life. Poor attendance can affect children’s ability to make and keep friendships; a vital part of growing up.

Setting good attendance patterns from an early age, from nursery through primary school, will also help your child later on in their life. Children who have a poor school attendance record may have less chance of securing a job when they are adults.

Local Authority Information

Punctuality

Mrs Bland's - Gates open at 08:45 and our learning commences at 08:55. Pupils arriving between 08:55 and 09:05 will be recorded as late. Pupils arriving after 09:05 will be recorded as 'late after registers closed' meaning an unauthorised absence.

Garland - Gates open at 08:30 and our learning commences at 08:40.  Pupils arriving between 08.40 and 08:50 will be recorded as late. Pupils arriving after 08:50 will be recorded as 'late after registers closed' meaning an unauthorised absence.

Illness

If your child is unwell and unable to attend, you should contact the school as soon as possible that morning and on any further days of illness. Please remember that children with stomach upsets should not return to school until at least 48 hours have passed since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.  This is following NHS guidelines and Public Health England Guidance 2016, which recommends that children should be kept away from school, for 48 hours ‘from their last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.’

Guidance on Infection Control

Leave of Absence Requests

The 2013 amendments to the 2006 Education Regulations make it clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are 'exceptional circumstances'.   

Taking your child out of school during term time without specific permission can lead to legal action, including fines.  The Executive Headteacher will determine whether the reason given for requesting leave of absence is exceptional or not.  Please use the form below to request a leave of absence in term time and return to school at least one month before the requested absence. The relevant school will endeavour to respond to your request within 5 working days.

It is expected that routine medical and dental appointments will made out of school hours whenever possible.  If you require any further information or assistance, please contact the relevant school office.

A copy of our Attendance and Truancy policy is included in the policies section of this website and a hard copy is available from the office.

Request Form

School Closures

If the school is closed due to bad weather or other incident,  a message will be sent out via Parentmail as soon as possible and local radio stations advised. Information will also appear on the front page of this website.