Absence

Any absence affects the pattern of a child's schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning. Any pupil's absence disrupts teaching routines so may affect the learning of others in the same class.

Ensuring your child's regular attendance at school is your legal responsibility and permitting absence from school without a good reason creates an offence in law and may result in prosecution.

If your child is absent you must contact us as by 9.30am on the day of absence, either by phone, e-mail or you can call into the school and report to reception.

Poor punctuality is not acceptable. Late arriving pupils disrupt lessons, which can be embarrassing for the child and can, in turn, encourage absence. Being 10 minutes late every day throughout the academic year is the same as missing two weeks of school.

By law, schools cannot authorise any leave in term time other than in exceptional circumstances. Taking a child out of school in term time will affect their education and progress as much as any other absence. If leave is being requested for a holiday or extended leave abroad, approval should be obtained from the headteacher in advance of booking by completing the application form.

Application for Leave of Absence

Punctuality

Poor punctuality affects not only the learning of the child who is late for school but also the learning of all the other children in the class. Good punctuality prepares children for later life when they must get to work on time, catch public transport or flights or arrive at the theatre, concerts or cinema.

The school day starts at 8.45 am, and the gate is locked at 8.55 am. If a child arrives after 8.55 am they are marked as late.  Any children who are dropped off at school late must be brought to the school office by a parent/carer. This is to ensure that accurate reasons for lateness are recorded and also to ensure that children arrive safely.

Children who arrive on time are happier, less anxious and ready to learn!