Attendance
Regular attendance and good punctuality are important. Pupils who have a good record on these things inevitably do better in school than pupils who miss school or are often late. It is a parental responsibility to inform school immediately if your child is to be absent that day. Please do not leave it for a day or two, or even until later in the same day, but inform us as soon as possible in the morning, and by 9.30 at the latest.In real life tracing children every day is very difficult since it is hard to contact many parents, and you should know that if we have any concerns regarding your child's whereabouts we may report the matter to the police or other authorities.
Your child can be absent for illness, family holiday (up to 10 days), religious reasons and in special family circumstances, but you do need to make a request if you know of a possible absence in advance.
Absences for holidays etc that are not requested in advance may not be accepted as authorised absence (collect a form from the office). However, it is important that your child does not take time off school for holidays at all. The most successful children do not take holidays in term-time, and even try to have medical appointments out of school time. Therefore please think carefully before taking time off. All holiday absences between Easter and Whitsun will not be authorised by school, as this is the time pupils undertake national tests.
The school is proud of its attendance record, which is usually around 95% every year. This means that the vast majority of absences at school are ones for the usual childhood illnesses. Absences should be explained by note, telephone call or in person, or the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Word of mouth from children is not accepted.
Unauthorised absences are those unaccounted for, or not for a legitimate reason and are a tiny number each year - practically nil last year. Please note that if you take more than ten days holiday in term-time the excess days must be recorded as unauthorised absence. The school has never had a child truant.
