Attendance Policy

Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly and arrive on time. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of their children on their journeys to and from school.

Regular and punctual attendance is linked closely to achievement and attainment and school staff wish to work with parents/carers to ensure that children can reach their full potential. The school is required by law to maintain an accurate record of the attendance and absence of each pupil and parents are requested to assist in this process by keeping the school informed if their child is to be absent for any reason.

It is important to note that if a child does not arrive at school and there is no reasonable explanation provided for his/her absence then members of staff will be required to ascertain the whereabouts and safety of the individual child. In order to avoid causing unnecessary concern for parents/carers and staff, the importance of good communication between home and school cannot be over-emphasised.

Parents/carers are asked to assist school staff in the manner detailed below:

• if your child is unable to attend school through illness please telephone the school between 8.30 and 9.30 am on the first day of his/her absence
• when you contact the school it would be helpful if an indication could be given as to the child's expected length of absence from school

Planned Absence

Parents/carers are encouraged not to arrange family holidays during term time.

Except in cases of emergency, planned appointments for children to attend the dentist or doctor should be made outwith the school day.

Contact Details

Parents/carers are asked to ensure that telephone contact numbers (home, work and emergency contact(s)) are kept up-to-date and are numbers at which a response can be obtained in all normal circumstances

Rights Respecting School

As a Rights Respecting School, our children and young people are safe and protected and know what to do if they need support. Our attendance procedures ensure this safety and our processes support positive attendance at school