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Attendance Policy Regular school attendance is extremely important. Without it, the efforts of teachers and schools will come to nothing. Pupils need to attend regularly if they are to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. What to do if your child has to be away If a child is unfit for school, the parent/carer is requested to contact the school on the first day, in person or by telephone, as this is our only way of knowing that a child has not gone missing since leaving home. If a parent fails to contact us before 10am, they should expect a call from the school office during the morning of the first absence. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of the children, not to check up on parents. Obviously this means spending a great deal of time and money on the part of the school, therefore parental co-operation is essential. When a child returns, he/she must bring a written note signed by the parent/carer for each period of absence. Absences through illness will not be authorised without a written explanation. Absence for reasons other than illness, must be discussed with the school each time. Leave of absence may be granted in an emergency (eg bereavement) or for medical appointments that are unavoidably in school time, providing a written explanation is received. If a child does not want to attend school for any reason, it is important that parent/carers do not collude with the child by supplying a note stating sickness as a reason for absence. Parents/carers must discuss the problem with the school at the first opportunity and if it cannot be resolved, a referral may be made to the Education Welfare Service. A referral will automatically be made if a child’s attendance falls below 80%. Parents/carers may contact the Education Welfare Service directly on 01708 433741/433854. What constitutes authorised and unauthorised absences? Authorised absences are those which the school agree are unavoidable, eg illness, family bereavement, secondary school visits or interviews, dates of religious observance etc and absence for which leave has been given, eg agreed holidays, medical appointments etc. Unauthorised absences are those that the school considers unreasonable, eg holiday time over 2 weeks, truancy, excessive lateness, shopping, theatre visits, staying at home because a brother/sister is ill etc. An absence is unauthorised until an acceptable written explanation is received. If no acceptable explanation is received in writing, within 1 week of the absence, this absence will remain unauthorised. It is for the school, not the parent/carer to decide whether the absence should be recorded as authorised or unauthorised on receipt of a note. The submission of a note does not automatically register the absence as authorised. Appointments Appointments – GP, dentist etc that have to be made during school time should be notified to the school in writing, in advance. The appointment card or a note is acceptable. Whenever possible, appointments should be made outside school hours. Special occasions/holidays Holidays should only be taken during term time if absolutely unavoidable. The school may authorise leave of absence for special occasions or one holiday of up to 2 weeks in one school year, if requested in advance but are not obliged to do so. The Head Teacher/Governing Body will take into account the child’s general attendance and the timing of the absence before making a decision. Before booking, parents/carers should discuss the timing of holidays with school staff to avoid the child missing important tests etc. The Law The law states that it is the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure that a child attends school regularly and on time. Neglect of this responsibility can result in the prosecution of parents/carers, the penalty for which can be up to a £1,000 fine. This policy will be reviewed annually. Reviewed November 2005
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