Attendance & Medication
Our fabulous attendance for 2022-23
Reception: 96.3%
Year 1: 95.4%
Year 2: 96.4%
Year 3: 95.3%
Year 4: 95.9%
Whole School: 95.9%
National: 93.7%
The Importance of Attendance
Parents and carers of a child have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school every day unless: they are too ill to attend or they are taking part in religious observance.
Being around teachers and friends in a school environment is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential. Time in school also keeps children safe and provides access to extra-curricular opportunities and pastoral care.
Being in school is important to your child’s achievement, wellbeing, and wider development. Evidence shows that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A Level results.
Research found that pupils who performed better at the end of primary school missed fewer days than those who didn’t perform as well.
Pupil attendance is monitored regularly by the school and the school's Education Welfare Officer. We keep parents/carers informed during the year of children's attendance levels.
If your child is too ill to attend
Please inform the school office by 9.00am. We have an answer phone service for our busy times of the day and you may also inform us by email, which will be acknowledged. If we have not heard from you, then a phone call will be made as we must know where all children are for safeguarding reasons. Each day your child is ill, please notify the office by telephone or email.
If your child is well enough to attend school then they are well enough to take part in playtimes, PE lessons and Forest School sessions. If there is a specific medical reason why your child should not take part in the above as diagnosed by a GP, then this would be accepted by the school.
Request of Leave of Absence
All parents and carers wishing to take their child out of school during term time must complete a form which can be obtained from the school office.
For the leave of absence to be authorised by the Headteacher/Governors, there has to be significant special circumstances. Unfortunately, finance cannot be taken into account when applying for leave.
We would appreciate your support of your child’s education by booking holidays during the 13 weeks of school holidays.
Medicine in school
All medication related to Asthma, Diabetes & Anaphalactic shock (i.e. nut allergies) are kept in the classroom of each pupil where required. It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure this medication is kept up to date. You will be advised when we require a repeat prescription.
GP Prescribed Medication
In accordance with the County Council Policy, medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor, and need to be administered to the child in school hours, must be handed into and collected from the school office by an adult. Written instructions regarding dosage must accompany the medicine, which should be signed by the parent or guardian. We are sorry, but the staff are not permitted to administer any medication which is paracetamol based unless it is prescribed by a doctor.
The Importance of Punctuality and arriving in school on time
Punctuality is a key part of a successful school experience. When children arrive on time, they are ready to start the day with focus and a positive mindset. Arriving late not only disrupts the start of their learning, but it also affects their confidence, concentration, and overall routine.
Being on time ensures that children:
- Start the day with their peers, joining in important activities like registration, morning instructions, and the introduction to lessons.
- Build good habits of time management, which are essential for both academic success and future responsibilities.
- Maximise learning time, as even a few minutes of missed instruction can add up over time, leading to gaps in understanding.
Additionally, arriving late can be unsettling for children, making them feel rushed or disconnected from their class. By arriving on time, children have the opportunity to settle into the day calmly and be fully present for their learning.