Since 2024, Headteachers are no longer permitted to authorise leave of absence for holidays during term time, schools are therefore expected to follow statutory guidance and consider appropriate action where unauthorised absence occurs.

As a school, we are committed to keeping the law and every child’s educational wellbeing at the centre of our decisions. Good attendance plays a vital role in children’s academic progress, wellbeing, friendships and overall school experience. We all share a responsibility to ensure pupils have full access to the education they are entitled to.

We appreciate the continued support of families in helping children attend school regularly and arrive on time each day.

Illness and Attendance Guidance

If your child is going to be absent from school, please telephone the school office before 9:00am on each day of absence.

You may leave a message using Option 1. Please clearly state:

• Your child’s name
• Class
• The reason for absence

When reporting a child’s absence due to illness, parents and carers must provide clear details about the nature of the illness and symptoms. Messages stating only that a child is “unwell” do not give the school enough information to authorise the absence appropriately.

Children are expected to attend school with mild, self-limiting illnesses such as coughs, colds or minor sniffles, provided they do not have a raised temperature and are otherwise well enough to participate in the school day.

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain high attendance and minimise disruption to children’s learning.

Punctuality

School starts promptly at 8:50am for all classes. We believe that good punctuality is an important life skill and social courtesy. Arriving late to school can disrupt not only your child’s learning but also the learning of others in the class.

Children arriving after the start of the school day must enter via the school office, where they will be registered and the reason for lateness recorded.

Registration closes at 8:55am, when the school gates close. Arrivals after this time will be recorded as an unauthorised late mark.

The school monitors punctuality carefully and may arrange meetings with parents or carers where there are ongoing concerns regarding lateness.

Medical Appointments

We ask that non urgent appointments such as dental checks and routine vaccinations are made outside of school hours wherever possible.

If your child has a hospital or specialist appointment please bring the letter to the school office where a copy can be placed on their file as proof of authorised absence. 

To collect your child during the school day please visit the school office to sign your child out of school.