Attendance and Punctuality

We use an evidence informed attendance improvement framework to ensure the best possible outcomes for all our pupils. Our strategy incorporates

• Whole school thinking, culture and climate that promotes the benefits of good attendance
• Supportive policies, systems and processes
• Professional learning and staff development
• Implementing targeted programmes and interventions
• Connecting to our Conscious Discipline approach to behaviour management
• Having a dedicated senior leader (Mrs Gibbons) with overall responsibility for championing and improving attendance

We have clear and detailed systems and procedures to manage absence and attendance which are informed by guidance provided by the Department for Education, Cheshire West and Chester Council and the policy made within our local Education Improvement Partnership (the schools we work with closely in our locality).

Further information can be found in our Attendance Policy, our EIP agreement and our Parent Guidance information leaflet.

Punctuality

School begins at 8.50am and all pupils are expected to be in school for registration at this time.  Pupils who are late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of others.  Where persistent lateness gives cause for concern further action may be taken. In the first instance this will involve a discussion with the parent or carer followed by a letter home if the situation does not improve. 

The guidance below is to inform parents/carers about children arriving late to school. The procedure will be as follows:

• 8.35am:  School gates open
• 8.40am:  Class doors open, children enter school 
• 8.50am: Doors and gates to school are closed and registers are taken in each class. 
• If a child does not arrive at school by 8.50am, they should enter via the main school office. 
• If a child arrives late after the register closes at 9.20am, they will be marked as having an Unauthorised absence for that session.

Reporting Absence

When your child is ill

If your child is unwell it is essential that you inform us on the first day of illness by telephoning the School Office by 9am. Please state your child’s name, class and a specific reason for their absence. When a child is absent with no explanation, we instigate a first response process to establish their whereabouts and reason for non-attendance. This will be by phone call. If your child will be absent for longer than a day, please update us on each day of the absence. If your child is absent due to sickness and diarrhoea, we ask that they not return for 48 hours following the last episode. If your child has had one instance of vomiting and parents or carers are confident that it is due to another reason rather than a sickness bug, such as tiredness, over-exertion or eating something unusual, children may be well enough to attend or return to school, and the 48 hour rule may not apply. We would however, urge parents to take a cautious approach in deciding if your child has a sickness bug.

Appointments

As a school we have a duty of care to ensure that all children registered with us are kept safe. Pupils with hospital, dental or other medical appointments during school time should be brought to school unless their appointment is before 9:30am and must be collected by a Parent/Carer from the School Office. This must be confirmed in writing or on presentation of the appointment card. Children should be brought back to school after their appointment, as soon as possible. 

Medical Conditions

It is very important that the school knows about any diagnosed medical conditions your child may have such as eczema, asthma, allergies etc. Please complete a Medical Form which can be obtained from the School Office.

Emergency Contact

From time-to-time accidents occur or children become ill. It is important that the school has an address and telephone number where parents can be contacted in an emergency. Please inform the School Office if there is any change to your emergency contact details.

Leave of Absence/Holidays During TermTime
If you wish to apply for a leave of absence for your child, please ensure that you have referred to the Attendance Policy. Due to changes in legislation, only absence requests with exceptional circumstances will be granted. 

Guidance from the DfE explains that these reasons should not be authorised.

• Extended family holidays
• One day trips to see relatives
• Birthday or event holidays
• “Educational” visits
• Holidays to long haul destinations

  Below is a list of some circumstances when the principal can authorise a holiday. 

  • Parent in the armed forces returned home for limited period in term time during tours of duty
  • To allow family time prior to and following the death of a very close relative
  • Life threatening and life limiting illness of child or sibling
  • A visit abroad prior to a family move to that location 

Please read Cheshire West and Chester Council's Guidelines to Fixed Penalty Notices for Unauthorised Holidays for more information.

If Parents/Carers make the decision to go ahead and take their children out of school for a family holiday this will be documented as an Unauthorised Absence and a fixed penalty fine may be issued.

An Absence Request form must still be completed and returned to the School Office for attention of the Principal.

Our Senior Attendance Champion is Mrs Katie Hetherington.