Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance, Punctuality and Leave of Absence Information

PLEASE NOTE, WE REFER ALL LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUESTS TO THE WARWICKSHIRE ATTENDANCE SERVICE

Attendance

Attendance at all school sessions is required by law. The only exceptions to this are in cases of illness or where special leave-of-absence has been granted. Missing a few days of school here and there may not seem a big deal, but research shows that it can have a significant impact on children's learning. An attendance rate of 95% is generally considered good and at Shottery the Governors have set a school attendance target of 96% which means only 7.5 days can be missed across the year. Persistent absence is defined as an attendance rate of 90% or below.

Attendance is monitored in line with the school policy and parents will be informed about their child’s attendance throughout the year. Should a child’s attendance percentage decline to 95%, parents will be contacted to make them aware that they are approaching the persistent absentee category of 90%. We have a comprehensive range of incentives and rewards in place, both at class level and individually, for children who achieve good levels of attendance:

Please see our Attendance and Punctuality policy for further details. This can be found in the Key Information section.

What to do if your child is ill and cannot attend school

It is essential that the school is notified of all unplanned absences by 9.30am on the first day of absence and each subsequent day by calling the school office. The reason for the absence must also be given along with the date they are expected to return.

Appointments

Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised as long as the pupil’s parent/carer notifies the school in advance of the appointment and provides evidence of the appointment. However, we encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the pupil should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary. We cannot authorise pupils to be out of school if another family member has an appointment and alternative provision should be made if such appointments will conflict with collection and drop off arrangements.

Punctuality

Punctuality to school is crucial. Lateness causes disruption to the individual child’s learning and that of other pupils in the class, they miss out on instructions and information about the day ahead and can feel embarrassed. Therefore, it is paramount that all pupils arrive at school on time. 

The school day begins from 8:40am – 3:20pm.  Parents are expected to drop off and collect children (or arrange for this to happen) punctually.  Registers are taken promptly at 8.50am and arrival after this time results in a late mark.

Please see our Attendance and Punctuality policy for further details. This can be found in the Key Information section.

Signing in and out

Any child arriving at school after 9.00am must be brought by their parent or carer to the office, giving a reason for the late arrival. Lateness beyond 9.15am will be counted as an absence for the morning session, unauthorised unless the school receives an acceptable reason. Children leaving school during the school day must be collected from the office by their parent or carer. In line with our policy, all late arrivals and early departures will be recorded in the signing in and out book kept in the office.

End of Day Collection Arrangements

Please collect your child promptly at the end of the school day or the end of clubs and wraparound. In order to comply with safeguarding policies the school needs to be informed of any changes to the usual person collecting a child and staff will not release a child to an unknown adult or to another parent without this consent.

Please be advised that at the start and end of the day, only children in Year 6 are allowed to walk to and from school unaccompanied if the school has received written permission from parents. Key Stage 2 children may be collected by older siblings provided the school has received written authorisation from parents.  Pupils in Lower School must be collected by an adult or a sibling over the age of 16.

Extended Leave of Absence

There is strong DfE evidence showing that children who are absent from school for any length of time do not make good progress or achieve their full potential. School holiday dates are published in advance so parents and carers should not need to take their children out of school during term time. If a family feels leave in term time is unavoidable then written details must be provided. This should be done in advance using the leave of absence form, so that appropriate consideration can be given and a response made.

Although, requests for leave of absence will be treated sympathetically, they will only be approved  in exceptional circumstances. Holiday requests are not categorised as an exceptional circumstance. A leave of absence is granted at the headteacher’s discretion, and where necessary in consultation with the Chair of Governors.

Please see our Attendance and Punctuality policy for further details. This can be found in the Key Information section.

Our Attendance Champion is

Mrs Louise Withers (Headteacher)

Our Attendance Governor is

Mrs Rebecca Bartlett