Good attendance is essential to ensure that every child has the best chance to learn, make progress and enjoy school. We know that some absences are unavoidable, and we are committed to working with families to remove any barriers that may make it harder for children to attend regularly.

Why Attendance Matters

National guidance is clear that children who attend school regularly are more likely to:

• achieve well academically,
• feel settled and confident,
• develop positive friendships and routines.

Even small amounts of absence add up and can significantly affect learning...

Our aim is to work closely with parents/carers to support consistent attendance wherever possible.

Reporting an Absence

If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, please:

1. Contact the school before 9:00am each day they are absent either via Arbor or telephone. Weduc messages can not be accepted.
2. Provide a clear explanation of the reason for the absence. The school can not accept ‘unwell’ as a reason.
3. Provide medical evidence if requested (e.g., GP appointment card, prescription, advice note, NHS app screenshot)

If we do not hear from you, we will contact the primary contacts you have provided. This is part of our safeguarding duty to ensure all children are safe and accounted for.

Illness Guidance

We follow NHS advice on common childhood illnesses. In many cases (e.g. mild coughs, colds, tiredness), children can still attend school. If you are unsure, please check NHS advice using the following link: Is My Child Too Ill For School?, or contact us and we will support you to make the best decision.

Punctuality

Arriving on time helps children start the day calmly and confidently.

• Classroom doors open at: 8:35am
• Registers close at: 8:45am

Children who arrive after registers close will be marked as late after registration (U code), which counts as an unauthorised absence.

Authorising Absence

We can only authorise absence in line with the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations (2006, amended 2013 & 2016) and current DfE expectations. This means that:

• Holidays during term time cannot be authorised,
• Requests for exceptional leave must be submitted in advance via the school office,
• Each request will be reviewed individually, and outcomes will be confirmed in writing moving forward.

How We Monitor Attendance

We review attendance weekly to identify any patterns, concerns or barriers. If your child’s attendance begins to drop, we will contact you so that we can work together to improve it. Our supportive process includes:

• Teacher/learning mentor check-in,
• Early conversation with parents/carers,
• Attendance Meeting to understand any barriers,
• Individual Attendance Plan (IAP) where needed,
• Referral to external or Early Help support,
• Local Authority involvement if attendance does not improve.

Legal measures are always a last resort; our priority is partnership, support and early help.

For Children with SEND or Ongoing Health Needs

We will work closely with you to:

• understand any additional needs affecting attendance,
• provide reasonable adjustments,
• put support in place,
• work with health or external professionals where appropriate.

Working Together

We value open communication and welcome early conversations if you are experiencing difficulties with attendance, punctuality or morning routines. Together, we can ensure that every child receives the full, rich education they deserve.