Attendance and Punctuality
The importance of good attendance and arriving in school on time is key in maximising the learning for each child in our school. The doors open from 8:45am-8:50am off either the bottom or middle playground and the children start personalised learning from the moment they get to their classrooms as part of their I-learn time.
If your child is unwell, please telephone the school from 8am to inform us. If we do not hear from you, we operate a first day calling system to ensure that you are aware that they aren’t in school and to find out the reason for their absence. All absences will need a written note for our records which are also scrutinised by the Education Welfare Officer.
Government targets for attendance are 97% for every pupil. Those children with less than 90% attendance are considered persistent absentees, even if the reason for absence is authorised.
PUPIL LEAVE OF ABSENCE IN TERM TIME AND UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE
Important notice to all parents and carers
With effect from 19 August 2024 Wiltshire Council may issue penalty notices for unauthorised absence from school. This includes unauthorised absence as a result of a holiday taken in term-time. If a pupil accumulates 10 or more sessions of unauthorised absence within a 10 week period the school may issue you with a Notice to Improve School Attendance*. If your child’s attendance does not improve the school must notify the local authority and a penalty notice will be issued to each parent for each child where that applies.
A penalty notice of £160 will apply to be paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. (a parent will receive
a penalty notice for each of their children). If a further penalty notice should be issued in relation to the same child within 3 years of the first penalty notice this will be in the sum of £160 to be paid within 28 days. (a parent will receive a penalty notice for each of their children). If after 28 days the penalty has not been paid, legal proceedings will be taken through the magistrates’ court for the unauthorised absence.
*NB: A Notice to Improve School Attendance will not be issued where the unauthorised absence is due to a holiday in term-time