Wren Park Primary Quick Parents Guide to Attendance

Why is good attendance needed?

Good attendance is vital for all children. Good attendance is not only required for your child to make the academic progress they are capable of through regular teaching but also to keep them connected with their peers and to enjoy school. It is well documented that children with lower than National average attendance are disadvantaged in education and are more likely to develop emotional health difficulties such as anxiety and depression as well as lower self-confidence. It is important that you support your child to thrive in childhood and good attendance is central.

If you are concerned that your child’s experiences at school are making it harder for them to attend regularly then please do contact a member of staff and talk through your concerns.

Attendance

• The gates open at 8:50am.
• Doors are locked at 9:00am and any late comers must come into school through the main reception.
• Children arriving late - must sign in at the school office so that registers can be updated.
• The registers close at 9:15am.
• If your child is late after 9:15am it is classed as an unauthorised absence, unless there is proof of a medical appointment.
• There will be times when your child is poorly. When this happens please contact the school on the first day of illness on 01332 512732 where you can speak to the office or leave a message on our absence line.
• If your child is fit and well we expect them to be in school.
• If your child’s attendance rate falls below 90% a referral may be made to the Educational Welfare Service following contacting you to explain concern over your child’s attendance.
• If the reasons given for your child’s irregular school attendance are not satisfactory, the Educational Welfare Service may take legal proceedings against you.

Absence From School

If your child is going to be absent from school, please ensure that you ring us before 10.00am to let us know where your child is. This will avoid us or the Education Welfare Officer from having to contact you as we need to know where all our children are.

Once your child returns to school after any absence it is required that you send us a letter or email explaining the reasons for the absence.  

Our school has a good attendance record. 

• School does not grant permission to take children on holiday during term time.
• If a child is taken on holiday during term, the absence from the school will be un-authorised and reported to the Education Welfare Service who may issue a Penalty Notice.
• Payment is £60 per child if paid within 21 Days.
• Payment is £120 if paid within 28 Day.

• Fines apply per parent per child. If not paid the matter will be placed before the Magistrates Court.

• There may be other exceptional circumstances when you need to take your child out of school e.g bereavement, appointments. Please make an appointment to discuss this with Mr. Buckley if you wish to speak with him regarding attendance.

Holidays in Term Time

Holidays taken in term time cannot be authorised.

If you do need to take your child out of school, please either send a letter or speak personally to Mr Buckley to discuss the circumstances. We do need to know where your child is, even though we cannot authorise the absence, so would appreciate parents keeping us informed.

Further Help

Please see our attendance policy for further information and help or pop in to school and ask to speak with a member of the staff team.