Church Broughton C of E Primary School

Attendance

Everyone at Church Broughton C of E Primary School is committed to improving outcomes for all children. Attendance at school and being on time everyday has a huge impact on a child’s learning and helps to ensure personal success.

Whilst staff and governors will do everything they can to support families struggling with attendance and lateness it must also be understood that as part of the monitoring procedures parents will receive a letter informing them of their child’s attendance rate if it falls below the target of 95%. The letter will give parents an opportunity to meet with the Head of School to discuss any problems they may be experiencing and share ideas in which we can work together to achieve an acceptable level of attendance.

Support is available through:

Joining Breakfast Club (Available daily from 7.30am)
Referral to School Health where on-going illness is a recurring issue
Involving external agencies, for example the Multi-Agency Team, and the help they can offer

Government regulations make it clear that Headteachers should not grant approval for any leave of absence during term-time, including holidays, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Taking holidays in term time mean children quickly fall behind with their work and may require extra support to catch up.

The school understands absence due to sickness and respects exceptional circumstances which require absence from school. Leave of absence forms are available from the school should you need to seek authorisation for a holiday/absence in term time. Authorisation is not automatic and is limited by strict government regulations. You may be issued with a Penalty Notice should leave be taken which is not authorised. This is £60 per child and per parent rising to £120 per child and parent if not paid within 28 days.
Permission for a request of leave of absence will only be considered where the child:

Has attendance of 95% or above at that time.
Has an acceptable exceptional reason for this request.
Does not have any statutory tests at that time.

Government regulations require that all schools record the reason for every absence and distinguish between authorised and unauthorised absences.

We ask that parents notify the office as soon as possible giving a clear reason for absence. On the first day of any absence period it is the parents’ responsibility to contact the school and to explain the absence. If we have not received notice from you, a member of staff will telephone to enquire. This also provides some security for children who journey to school independently of an adult. Parents also need to inform school of any subsequent days of absence due to illness.

Proof of medical/dental appointments will be required. This can be in the form of an appointment card or text message. We will record the reason for any child arriving late or leaving early. These records will be regularly monitored.