Regular school attendance is essential if children are to achieve their full potential.

We recognise that attendance is a matter for the whole school community. We believe that by working with parents and others to overcome barriers to attendance, children will access their full entitlement to education enabling them to achieve their full potential in life.

The school day begins at 8.40 am. The register is taken at 8.55am once the children have settled into class. Pupils arriving after this time will be marked as present but arriving late. The register will close at 9.30am; pupils arriving after the close of the register will be recorded as late. This will not be authorised and will count as an absence for the school session.

If a child is absent without notification

Where no notification has been received by 9.30am a telephone call will automatically be made to the parents/carers by the school’s office staff, followed by telephone calls to any other contacts provided when necessary.

Home welfare visits will be made if the school is unable to ascertain where a child is or if there are other attendance concerns.

Illness

If a child is absent due to illness, parents must contact the school on the first day, giving a valid reason. Parents must contact the school every subsequent day until their child returns to school. Parents will be required to provide medical evidence for illness when requested. In cases of extended or repeated illness the school may request support from the School Nurse.

Medical Appointments

Parents are advised, where possible, to make medical and dental appointments outside of the school day. Where this is not possible, pupils should attend school for part of the day. The school should be informed of medical appointments in advance.  Evidence of the appointment will be required.