Absence

The aim of the school is to provide a high quality education where children achieve their very best. To do this, we find regular attendance and punctuality are crucial to a child's academic and social progress.

Frequent odd absences, as well as long blocks of absence, disadvantage children because continuity and progression are interrupted. Absence disrupts the education of the rest of the class because the teacher is obliged to help the child catch up.

We expect children to arrive at school in good time for the morning session, to allow them to communicate with their peers and develop and practice their social skills before formal work begins.

School Procedures

Unavoidable absence from school or late arrival

  • To ensure all children are safe and accounted for we need to know the reason for absence on the first day of non-attendance.
  • Parents should contact the school as early as possible, either by note, telephone or email.
  • Children regularly arriving at school after the school bell will receive a note for parents to complete to account for the late arrival and to encourage the habit of punctuality.

Leave of absence

Parents are asked to make every effort to plan family holidays and short breaks so that they do not impinge on school time. This includes any request to further extra-curricular activities such as drama, filming, sport, music, etc. Only in very exceptional circumstances will leave of absence be granted in term time. Discretion is delegated to the Head Teacher whether to authorise absence of 1-3 days within a 12-month period, taking account of the child's individual circumstances and attendance record, the time in the school year, and the demands of the curriculum.

  • Any request for leave of more than 3 days will be referred to the school committee of governors, the committee to be determined by the full governing body.
  • A minimum of 4 weeks notice will be required.
  • Requests should be in writing and received not less than four weeks before the proposed period of absence and before any commitment, financial or otherwise, to a holiday company has been made.
  • Leave of Absence forms are available from the school office.