Attendance

The table below outlines the guidance with regards to infectious diseases and school attendance in line with Public Health England advice to schools. Medical evidence may be requested in certain circumstances. 

If your child is too unwell to attend school, you must notify us by 8:45 AM on the first day of their absence. Please call the school office on 01932 845093 and select the absence line option, or message the office via Class Dojo. Please clearly state your child’s name, class, and the specific reason for their absence (just saying "unwell" is not enough, as we need to track specific illnesses like chickenpox or flu). You must contact us on every subsequent day of their absence unless otherwise agreed with the office.

2. My child has a mild cold—should I send them to school?

Yes! In line with NHS and DfE guidance, minor illnesses such as a mild cough, a cold, or a slight headache should not keep your child off school. Often, children perk up once they are busy playing with their friends. If your child seems a little under the weather, please let their class teacher know at the gate; we will keep a close eye on them and call you if they become too unwell to stay. However, if your child has a high temperature (fever), they should stay home until the fever subsides.

3. What is the rule if my child has a stomach bug?

If your child has an episode of vomiting or diarrhoea, they must stay at home for 48 hours after the very last episode. This is a strict public health requirement to prevent the spread of highly contagious stomach bugs to other children and staff.

4. What happens if my child arrives late?

Our school gates open at 8:30am and close promptly at 8:45am . Registration takes place at 8:50am. If your child arrives after the gates close, they must enter through the main school office so they can be safely signed in and their lunch order can be taken.

• Arriving before the register closes at 9:10am will be marked as 'Late' (L code).
• Arriving after 9:10am means the register has officially closed. This will be marked as an 'Unauthorised Absence' (U code) for the morning session, which negatively impacts their overall attendance percentage. Frequent lateness also disrupts the start of the day for your child and the rest of their class.

5. Can I book medical or dental appointments during the school day?

We ask that all routine medical and dental check-ups be booked outside of school hours, during the school holidays, or at the end of the afternoon. We understand that specialist hospital or emergency appointments cannot always be chosen; if an appointment must happen during the school day, please bring a copy of the appointment card or letter to the school office in advance. Your child should only miss the minimum amount of time necessary and should return to school immediately before or after the appointment.

6. Why is 90% attendance considered a problem? It sounds like a high score!

In a school setting, percentages don't work the same way as a test score! While 90% sounds good, it actually means your child is missing half a day of school every single week. Over the course of a single school year, 90% attendance adds up to 19 missed days of school—which is nearly four full weeks of lost learning and social time. This is why the DfE classifies any child with attendance below 90% as 'Persistently Absent'.

7. My child is anxious or resisting coming to school. What should I do?

Please talk to us immediately. It can be incredibly stressful for parents when a child resists coming to school, but keeping them at home often accidentally worsens the anxiety. Do not wait for their attendance to drop. Contact your child’s class teacher or Ms Taylor right away. We can set up a supportive morning transition plan, offer a 'soft start' where a favourite staff member greets them at the gate, or provide targeted emotional support to help them feel safe and happy about coming to school.

8. What is the difference between an "authorised" and "unauthorised" absence?

An authorised absence is when the school accepts the reason given for a child's absence (e.g., a genuine illness, a medical appointment, or an approved exceptional circumstance). An unauthorised absence is when the school does not accept the reason given, or if no reason is provided at all. Examples of unauthorised absences include taking an unapproved term-time holiday. Only the Headteacher has the legal authority to authorise an absence.

9. Can I take my child out of school for a religious festival?

Yes. We are a beautifully diverse school community and deeply respect our families' faiths. The school will authorise one day of absence per academic year for recognized religious observance (such as Eid, Diwali, or Orthodox Christmas) if the festival falls on a school day. If you require leave for a religious festival, please notify the school office in writing well in advance.

10. How will I know what my child’s current attendance percentage is?

We believe in keeping you regularly informed so there are no surprises. You can view your child’s live, up-to-date attendance percentage at any time via the Arbor App. Additionally, we send out formal attendance updates alongside interim reports every term. If your child’s attendance begins to dip towards the 95% threshold, we will proactively send a supportive letter home to bring it to your attention so we can work together to get it back on track.