Regular attendance to school is a crucial part in your child's academic and social development. The Government regard 95% attendance per academic year as the minimum satisfactory attendance level per pupil. Your child should only miss school for authorised absences. Any other form of absence will be classed as unauthorised. The school may refer your child to the Education Inclusion Officer or issue fixed penalty notices if attendance and/or punctuality is causing concern.

We understand that there have been challenges around keeping pupils and families well and safe over the last two to three years, but must insist that pupils are in school every day, if they are well enough to be there. Genuine illness should be reported in to the school and the school will work with you on any longer-term illness to provide support. 

If your child cannot attend school for any reason, you should contact the school immediately. It is only when the school has been informed of any absences can we make a judgement on authorised and unauthorised absences. The school will need to be notified of any absences before school starts at 8:50am.

If you need to report an absence, please contact the school on 01685 351810 and either leave a message consisting of your child's name, class and absence reason on the school answer-machine or inform a member of staff. Attendance is closely monitored on a daily basis by Mrs Francis (Family Support Worker), Mr Lewis (Headteacher).

Some facts about school attendance...

• Keeping children away from school for no good reason is a criminal offence.

• Fines could be issued to parents of children with continually poor attendance levels.

• Only the school can authorise absences. Notifying the school is necessary for the reasons given to be considered by the school.

• The only legal reasons for absence are illness, medical appointments, religious observance and exceptional circumstances.

• If you take a two week holiday in term time your child’s attendance will automatically be reduced to less than 95%.

• A 2 week holiday each year in primary school means a total of 14 weeks teaching time missed — this could have a real impact on their basic literacy and numeracy skills.

• 80% attendance is the same as having a day off every week. - This is equivalent to missing 4 lessons a day, and 160 lessons of learning in total!