This is a successful school and every child plays their part in making it so. We aim for an environment which enables and encourages all pupils to achieve their potential and aspire to excellence.

For our children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly and every child should be at school, on time, every day the school is open unless they have an unavoidable reason to be absent. Absence or late arrival disrupts teaching routines and so may affect the learning of others in the same class.  Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning.

Government research shows a direct link between attendance and attainment and good attenders also make better progress socially, learn to work with others, and are better prepared for the transition to secondary school and, eventually, higher education, training and employment.

It is very important therefore that you make sure that your child attends regularly and this policy sets out how together we will achieve this.

Our attendance target this year is 96%, but all pupils should strive to achieve 100% attendance if they can.

Each week, the class with the best attendance will be awarded Aldridge the Alligator to look after for the week - meet Aldridge below. 

Lateness and Punctuality

Pupils arrive in school from 8.40am on each school day.

Doors will open at 8.40am and close at 8.50am.

The register for the first session will be taken at 8.50am and will be kept open until 9.15am.

A pupil who arrives late:

Before the register has closed will be marked as late, using the appropriate code (L)

After the register has closed will be marked as late, using the appropriate code (U)

The register for the second session will be taken at 1pm for KS1 and 1.15pm for KS2.

Unplanned Absence

The pupil’s parent/carer must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence by 9.15am or as soon as practically possible. This can be done by calling the school office, or by leaving a voicemail.

We will mark absence due to illness as authorised unless the school has a genuine concern about the authenticity of the illness. If the authenticity of the illness is in doubt, the school may ask the pupil’s parent/carer to provide medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence.

We will not ask for medical evidence unnecessarily. If the school is not satisfied about the authenticity of the illness, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and parents/carers will be notified of this in advance.

Medical Appointments

Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised as long as the pupil’s parent/carer notifies the school in advance and brings evidence of the appointment. This can be done through the same methods as above. We encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the pupil should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary.

Holidays 

The school holiday pattern is sent home in good time for parents to book family holidays during school closures. A copy of the current holiday pattern is available from the school office and is also available on the school’s website.

Parents are not permitted family holidays in term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Parents must complete a “Leave Request Form” (See Below) and get permission from the school before booking a holiday.

Should you take your child out of school without permission, the Local Authority may act on behalf of the school to initiate legal sanctions against parents. We want to work in close partnership with our parents to ensure prosecution does not happen.