Pupils arriving after the school gate closes at 8.55am, need to enter via the office to ensure they are marked correctly in the register.  This will receive a late mark in the register

Pupils arriving after 9.10am are asked to enter the school via the school office where their attendance will be marked as ‘unauthorised late absence’

Attendance and Absence

Every school by law has to register pupils twice a day; one mark is given in the morning at the start of the school day, and the second is given in the afternoon.

What is the difference between Authorised and Unauthorised Absences?

Authorised Absences

If a pupil is absent due to sickness and is genuinely unable to attend school, after being informed by a parent or carer the school may authorise the absence.  It is important that you telephone the school, or report an absence on the absence line before school starts at 08.55am.  If you do not make contact with the school we will attempt to contact you via telephone, arbor message or email.  If no contact is made the absence will be marked as unauthorised, and further safeguarding action will be taken including contacting the emergency contacts or a home visit.

If your child's attendance is below the schools minimum attendance target of 96%, we may require additional evidence such as an appointment card, a prescription, medical certificate, a prescriptive label from medication or receipt of medicine purchased.

Understanding absence percentages:

You may wonder why a school would be concerned if your child's attendance is 95%.  This may make it easier to understand:

• 95% equates to half a day off every two weeks
• 90% equates to a day off every two week
• 85% equates to one and half days off every two weeks
• 80% equates to one whole day off every week

Unauthorised Absences

Examples of unauthorised absence may be if your child does not attend because of:

• No contact from a parent or carer to give a reason for a child's absence
• Going on holiday or travelling abroad
• Days off for birthdays, shopping trips and other activites
• Feeling tired
• Bad weather
• Head lice (these can be treated and return to school the same day)
• Non-urgent appointments
• If a parent is too ill to bring a child to school/or if a sibling is unwell
• Not providing medical evidence if requested (appointment card, prescription, hospital letter, receipt of medicine)

Changes to School Attendance Regulations

The Department of Education has published amendments to The Education (Pupil Registration( (England) Regulations 2006.

We have been asked to bring these changes to your attention and to enforce them.

The amendments make clear that Headteachers may not grant ANY leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Headteachers will no longer be able to permit family holidays or extended leave.

The amendments also reduce the timescales for paying penalty notice.  From 1st September 2013, each fined parent must pay £60 within 21 days or £120 within 28 days.

Please note that these charges are made by the Government's Department of Education and we have no influence or power to overrule them.

Lateness

Lateness will also be referred to the AAP and can provide grounds for prosecution.   

Further information regarding pupil absence please follow the link to Medway Council