Attendance & Punctuality

We believe that high levels of pupil attendance are essential to child development and progress.  Similarly, arriving on time gets the day off to a good start and children do not miss the key learning activities that are completed during registration time.   Being late adds up to a lot of lost learning time. Please help your child to be punctual.

If your child is late or absent, please phone the school before 8.40am so that the absence is appropriately recorded. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s attendance or illness, please telephone the school as soon as possible. Children are recorded as late if they arrive after registers have closed at 8.40.  We regularly monitor both attendance and punctuality and contact parents if there are any issues.

Every School Day Matters! The academic and social benefits of good school attendance gives children the best start in life and beyond. Being on time matters too, as being late for school can be disruptive to children. We want children to be in school every day, on time and ready to learn. Following a change in statutory guidance on attendance in August 2024, we would like parents and carers to be aware of the following: School will ask for proof of all medical appointments taken during school time. The school gates open at 8.30. School starts at 8:40. If a child arrives after 8:40 8:40 they will be marked as late. Children who arrive after 9.00 lose their mark for the whole morning and the absence is recorded as unauthorised. If we have reason to doubt an absence, we may record it as unauthorised and may ask parents to provide proof of the absence. A member of school staff may also carry out a home visit. 'Traffic Light' and 'Late' letters will be sent to families when attendance becomes a concern. School will work with families to ensure that attendance concerns are addressed swiftly. SCHOOL> School will not authorise any holidays during term time unless under HOLDAYS, 'exceptional circumstances'. There is a new National Threshold for when a Penalty Notice must be PENALTY considered by schools. This is 10 sessions (1 session = 1/2 a day) of NOTICE unauthorised absence within a 10-week rolling period. Penalty Notices are issued to each parent who allows their child to be absent from school. First Offence The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the fine will be: £80 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days increasing to £160 if paid between days 22-28. Second Offence (within 3 years) The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child, payable within 28 days. Third and Any Further Offences (within 3 years) A penalty notice will not be issued. The case may be presented before a Magistrates Court. Prosecution may result in criminal records and fines of up to £2500.