Attendance and Absence

Attendance and Absence

At Kingsway Primary School we believe that improving attendance is everyone’s business and that providing a calm, orderly, safe and supportive environment where all pupils want to be and are keen and ready to learn is the foundation of securing good attendance.

We understand that some children and families may face challenges that affect attendance. Where concerns arise, we encourage parents/carers to work with us early so we can offer support together.

Working together to put the right support in place at the right time, in conjunction with all staff in school, parents/carers, pupils, Gloucestershire County Council and other local partners, we aim to remove any barriers to attendance by building strong and trusting relationships.

Regular attendance is fundamental to the future success of children. We expect pupils to be in school for every session of the school day and for every day that the school is open. Our objectives are to promote good attendance, ensuring every pupil has access to the full-time education to which they are entitled. By acting early to address patterns of absence we aim to reduce absence, including persistent and severe absence.

All pupils should attend school for every session that is available to them, unless the reason for their absence is one that meets the school’s criteria for authorising absences, e.g. illness, non-routine medical/dental appointments, religious observance, educational visits and another unavoidable cause.

School Day and Punctuality

School starts at 8:45am and finishes at 3:15pm. Please ensure your children are in school on time and ready to start learning.

Good punctuality is important as learning begins straight away each morning.

Legal Responsibilities as a Parent

The parent of any child registered at the school has a legal duty to secure their child’s regular attendance.

Failure to secure regular attendance at school may result in further action by the Local Authority.

Reporting an Absence

If your child is ill or absent for any reason:

• contact the school office on the first day of absence
• follow the school’s procedures for notifying absence
• keep the school informed if your child remains absent

Parents are requested at all times to contact the school office to discuss any absence from school.

For more information about attendance or to discuss your child’s attendance, please contact Mrs Mason via email: kmason@kingsway.gloucs.sch.uk

Medical Appointments

Attending medical or dental appointments will usually be authorised where the school is informed in advance. Wherever possible, appointments should be arranged outside of the school day.

Please provide copies of appointment letters/cards where appropriate.

Term-Time Absence Requests

With effect from 1st September 2013, the Department for Education changed the legislation regarding children’s absence from school during term-time.

Headteachers may only authorise absence during term-time in exceptional circumstances. The school’s Attendance Policy makes clear that requests for absence during term-time will only be considered in very limited situations.

Any absence from school during term-time can impact children’s learning, routines and friendships. Circumstances such as lower holiday costs outside of school holidays are not considered exceptional circumstances.

Where absence is not authorised and a child is absent from school, this will be recorded as unauthorised absence and may result in the issue of a penalty notice to each parent for each child concerned.

How Parents and Carers Can Support Good Attendance

Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting positive attendance and helping children to thrive in school. You can support your child by:

• taking an active interest in your child’s education and school life
• talking to your child about their day and celebrating their achievements
• encouraging a positive attitude towards school and learning
• ensuring your child arrives at school on time each day

If your child appears unhappy, reluctant to attend school, or is experiencing difficulties, please talk to them and contact the school as early as possible so we can work together to provide support.

We encourage families to engage positively with any support offered by the school or external support services where appropriate.

For more information about attendance or if you would like to make an appointment to discuss your child’s
attendance, please contact Mrs Mason via email: kmason@kingsway.gloucs.sch.uk