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Downside Primary School

Attendance 

Attendance at Downside

Why is good attendance important?

Good attendance and punctuality are vital for success at school and help children to establish positive life habits that are necessary for future success.

We know that every day missed affects a child’s learning.

Expectations for attendance

  • Pupils are expected to attend every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence in advance from the school.
  • The gates open to children at 8:45am and the school day starts at 8:55am. Teachers will save the class register at 9:05am.
  • Arrival at school between 8:55-9:05am is not classified as late but, as the gates will be closed, children will need to go to the school office before going to their class in order to register that they are in school.
  • Arrival at school between 9:05-9:30am is classified as late and children will need to go to the school office before going to their class in order to register that they are in school.
  • Arrival at school after 9:30am is classified as unauthorised absence, except in a small number of allowable circumstances.
  • The school day ends at 3:30pm.
  • If your child is too ill to attend, please notify the school by phonecall or email (attendance@downside-primary.co.uk) before the registers close at 9:10am with details for the absence.
  • Bring any medication that your child may be taking to the school office – we are able to administer this at the times directed by you or a doctor so that your child can be in school.
  • If your child is feeling slightly unwell, please bring them to school and inform the class teacher via the Year Group email or the Home School contact book – the teaching team can monitor your child.

What is a Persistent Absentee?

  • A child who has missed 10% or more of school time.
  • This is the same as 1 day every 2 weeks.
  • Every day missed affects a child’s learning
Attendance Missed learning
95% 52 hours of missed learning over the year
90% 104.5 hours of missed learning over the year
85% 157 hours of missed learning over the year
80% 209 hours of missed learning over the year

Term time leave

  • Head teachers cannot authorise any leave in term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
  • Any period taken without agreement of the school will be classed as unauthorised and may attract a Penalty Notice (a fixed fine).
  • If you are thinking of taking your child out of school, you must book an appointment with the Family Support Team BEFORE you book your trip.
  • The Family Support Team will explain the learning you will need to do with your child while they are absent.
  • They will also meet with you on your return, to discuss missed learning and how you can support any ‘catch up’.

What the school will do

  • Look closely at the attendance figures every few weeks.
  • Let you know when your child has become or is in danger of becoming a Persistent Absentee.
  • Work with you where attendance is poor to ensure it improves.

If you have concerns about your child’s attendance

  • If your child does not want to come to school, please speak to a Family Worker, the Class Teacher or the Year Leader – we will be happy to help.

attendance policy 2023 2024.pdf

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