Why Attendance Matters

Every school day offers opportunities to learn, build friendships and develop confidence.

Research shows a strong relationship between school attendance and achievement. Children who miss more school are, on average, less likely to achieve the expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of primary school.

 

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Reporting Your Child's Absence

If your child is unable to attend school, please telephone the school office on the first day of absence, preferably before 9:00am.

School office: 01843 831707

Please tell us your child's name, class and the reason for their absence. If your child remains absent, please continue to keep us informed.

First-Day Absence Calls

If your child is absent and we have not received a reason, our office team will contact you to check that your child is safe and establish the reason for their absence.

This is an important part of our safeguarding responsibilities. Please help us by reporting absences promptly and ensuring that your contact details are up to date.

Is My Child Too Unwell for School?

We understand that deciding whether your child is well enough to attend school can sometimes be difficult.

The NHS provides helpful guidance on common childhood illnesses, including when children should stay at home and when they can return to school.

NHS – Is my child too ill for school?

If your child is well enough to attend but is experiencing difficulties coming to school, please contact us. We want to work with families to understand any barriers and offer appropriate support.

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Punctuality and Arriving Late

Arriving at school on time helps children settle into their learning and enjoy a calm, positive start to the day.

Our school gates open at 8:30am, with registration at 8:50am. The morning register closes at 9:00am.

If your child arrives after registration, please bring them to the school office so that we can record their arrival.

Children arriving after the register has closed will normally receive an unauthorised absence mark for that morning session, unless an authorised reason applies.

If getting to school on time is becoming difficult, please speak to us. We're here to help.

Medical and Dental Appointments

Where possible, please arrange routine medical and dental appointments outside school hours.

We understand that this isn't always possible. If your child needs to attend an appointment during the school day, please inform the school office in advance and provide confirmation of the appointment if requested.

Children should attend school before and after their appointment wherever possible.

Requesting Leave During Term Time

We ask families to arrange holidays and other planned activities during school holidays wherever possible.

Under Department for Education guidance, schools can only authorise leave of absence in specific circumstances, including:

• Taking part in a regulated performance or employment abroad, where the appropriate arrangements or permissions are in place.

• Attending an interview for admission to another educational institution or for future employment.

• Study leave for public examinations, where agreed in advance.

• An agreed, temporary part-time timetable in exceptional circumstances.

• Other exceptional circumstances, considered individually by the Headteacher.

The regulations also provide for certain agreed educational activities and arrangements for pupils outside compulsory school age.

Family holidays, cheaper travel arrangements and convenience are not normally considered exceptional circumstances.

How to Request Leave

All requests for planned leave during term time must be made by completing our Term-Time Absence Request Form, available from the school office.

Requests should be submitted in advance, with an explanation of the circumstances.

Each request will be considered individually. Completing the form does not mean that the absence will automatically be authorised.

Unauthorised Absence and Penalty Notices

Taking a child out of school without authorisation, including for a term-time holiday, may result in a penalty notice issued by the local authority.

Under the national framework, schools must consider a penalty notice when a child has 10 sessions (equivalent to five school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling period of 10 school weeks.

The current penalty notice arrangements are:

• First penalty notice: £80 if paid within 21 days, increasing to £160 if paid within 28 days.

• Second penalty notice for the same child and parent within three years: £160.

• Further offences: Alternative legal action, including prosecution, may be considered.

Penalty notices can be issued separately to each liable parent. Decisions are considered in line with the national framework and Kent County Council's arrangements.

Kent County Council School Absence Guidance

Our priority is always to work with families to improve attendance and address any difficulties before they become more serious.

Working Together to Improve Attendance

We recognise that there can be many reasons why a child finds attending school difficult, including illness, anxiety and additional needs.

If you're worried about your child's attendance, please contact us. By working together, we can understand the difficulties and consider what support may help your child attend school regularly and confidently.