School Attendance

It is important that students are punctual so that they do not miss out on the beginning of each school day. Students must attend registration (be in class) on time (by 8.40am). Arrival after the start of morning registration but before the close will be recorded as late. Where a student arrives after the register closes it will be recorded as unauthorised absence.

Parents can report their child’s absence by completing the online absence reporting form below. Absences should be reported by 8.30am.

If a student needs to attend a medical appointment or requires a leave of absence for any other reason a letter and appointment slip/letter must be brought in from home. The letter should be taken to the Main office. Parents should not come to collect a child during the school day without prior authorisation.

Before leaving the school the parent should sign the child out at the main office and let staff know if they will be returning and at what time. On returning to the School the parent should bring the student to the main office where they will be signed in before returning to lessons.

Family holidays should be taken during the School holiday period. Leave will not be granted for family holidays, u

Requests for leave of absence should be made using the official leave of absence request form which you can collected from the main office.

Please avoid booking holidays during term time. Holidays in term time are can no longer be authorised following new Department for Education guidance (August 2024)

Please look at the school holiday dates and book any holidays during these periods. Any leave of absence request should be done in advance.

Updated guidance was introduced by the Department for Education in August 2024

The following letter is from 2023 and a new updated letter will appear shortly with updated information.

Dear Mums and Dads,

This year, we will be continuing to work in partnership with parents to improve school attendance. We would like to thank the many parents who make sure their children attend school regularly.

It is a parent’s legal responsibility to ensure their children receive appropriate education. Failing to send your child to school regularly without good reason is a criminal offence.

Absence disrupts the education of the individual pupil and the whole class. Persistent and regular absences can lead to a number of issues and difficulties arising. If your child does not attend school on a regular basis this may affect their progress, their assessment results and their ability to maintain secure friendship groups.

Absence can only be authorised by the Head Teacher, within the boundaries set by the Education (Pupil Registrations) (England) Regulations 2006.

Please remember that parental illness, going shopping, visiting family, truancy, not wanting to go to school, alleged bullying (speak to school immediately to resolve the issue) are not acceptable reasons to be absent. All of these will be recorded as unauthorised absence, including if your child arrives at school after the close of registration. Leave in term time will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

Legal action that may be taken include:

• Issuing penalty notices: Each parent receives a penalty notice for each child who has unauthorised absence. The penalty is £60 or £120 depending on how soon payment is made. So, if there are two parents and two children the total penalties could be up to £480. Failure to pay may result in prosecution.

• Taking parents to court for unauthorised absence: Education Act 1996 Section 444(1) – court can fine each parent up to £1000 per child, order payment of prosecution costs and/or impose a Parenting Order.

• Taking parents to court for persistent unauthorised absence: Education Act 1996 Section 444(1A) – court can fine each parent up to £2,500 per child, order payment of the prosecution costs, impose a Parenting Order and/or sentence you to a period of imprisonment of up to 3 months.

Being taken to court could result in you having a criminal record.

If your child’s level of absence is of serious concern you will receive another letter advising you about improving attendance. After this, any further unauthorised absence may result in the school and the Local Authority taking legal action.

We will improve attendance by making it clear within the school and local community that unauthorised absence is not acceptable. Parents will be informed at all times regarding this process through regular letters and meetings if needed. If attendance does not improve, despite this support, further action will be necessary. Parents will then be informed of the number of penalty notices issued, prosecutions and the level of fines.
Again, we would like to thank those parents who make sure their child is attending school regularly and are therefore benefiting fully from their educational opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Guest
Head Teacher