Attendance

Attendance Information

Introduction

Going to school regularly is important for your child’s future, for example, children who miss school frequently can fall behind with their work and find it more difficult with friendships.

Good attendance shows potential employers that your child is reliable. Research suggests that children who attend school regularly could also be at less risk of getting involved in antisocial behaviour or crime.

What you can do to help

Please inform school by 09:30 a.m. if your child is unwell and unable to attend school. We will text you if your child is absent and no reason has been provided, in order to check your child is safe.

Making sure they understand the importance of good attendance and punctuality.

Taking an interest in their education – ask about school work and encourage them to get involved in school activities.

Discussing any problems they might have at school – inform their teacher or Headteacher about anything serious.

Not letting them take time off school for minor ailments – particularly those which would not prevent you from going to work.

Arranging appointments and outings after school hours, at weekends or during school holidays will help prevent disruption to your child’s education and to the school.

Authorised and Unauthorised Absence

If your child is absent and school either does not receive an explanation from you or considers the explanation unsatisfactory, it will record your child’s absence as ‘unauthorised’.

Most absences for acceptable reasons will be authorised by school, ie:

  • Sickness

  • Unavoidable medical or dental arrangements (if possible, these need to be arranged during the school holidays)

  • Days of religious observance

  • Exceptional family circumstances, such as bereavement

Holidays during term time and extended visits overseas

  • At Cottons Farm Primary Academy we have a “zero tolerance policy” for leave of absence during term time which has been approved by Derby City Council. This means that no holidays during term time will be authorised by the Principal.

    How to apply

    Although no holidays during term time will be authorised, any request for leave of absence has to be completed on the relevant Leave of Absence Form which is available from the school office and any requests for leave of absence for family bereavement or emergency must have supporting documentation.

    Attendance and the law

    By law, all children of compulsory school age (5-16) must receive a suitable full-time education. For most parents, this means registering their child at a school – though some choose to make other arrangements to provide a suitable, full-time education.

    Once your child is registered at a school, you are legally responsible for making sure that they attend regularly.

    Parents taking children out of school during term time which are not authorised by the Principal may result in a Penalty Notice being issued by the Local Authority.

  • Fines apply per parent per child
  • Payment is £120 if paid within 28 Days - reduced to £60 if paid within 21 Days
  • If not paid matter will be placed before the Court
  • May result in your child losing their school place
  • The EWO may write to you or ask to meet with you and your child at home or at school to discuss these difficulties. The EWO will then agree with you a plan of action to improve your child’s attendance. This may involve further support in school or from other outside agencies such as health or social care.

    Procedures to follow if your child is unable to attend school

    Just a reminder of procedures if your child is absent from school. Could you please contact school before 9.30am on the day of absence. There are currently two ways you can do this. You can ring the school office on 01332 771370 or by email to info@cottonsfarm.theharmonytrust.org Please provide the reason for absence, the child’s name, class and your name. As a safeguarding procedure, if we don’t hear anything, we will contact you to confirm the absence.

    If attendance falls below 90% or a regular pattern of absence occurs, the school will contact you to raise their concerns about your child’s attendance.

    Education Welfare Officers

    If your child’s attendance is unsatisfactory and not improving despite support from the school, the school will make a referral to their Education Welfare Officer (EWO)

     

 

Sheridan Street, Sinfin, Derby, Derbyshire DE24 9HG

Mrs K Patmore - Principal

01332 771370

info@cottonsfarm.theharmonytrust.org

Harmony Trust

Alderson Street, Oldham, Lancashire, OL9 6AQ

CEO: Anthony Hughes

Chair of Governing Body: Andrew McCully

0161 260 0482 (ext 15)

info@theharmonytrust.org

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