Attendance Leaflet for Parents

Attendance Diamond

Attendance Matters

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Good Attendance

At Chiltern Primary we want to do all we can to encourage high levels of attendance and punctuality. Children who attend well and who get to school on time do better than those that don’t.

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How We Record Absence

Absences are recorded as authorised or unauthorised.

A child too ill to come to school, whose parents/carers inform us of their absence, will receive an authorised absence mark. A child who is not in school and whose parents/carers have not contacted school regarding the absence will receive an unauthorised absence mark. An unauthorised mark will also be recorded if the nature of the absence was unacceptable. If the number of unauthorised absences for a child reaches 20 Sessions (1 day = 2 sessions) in a term the Local Authority expect the school to issue a fixed penalty warning letter and the absence will be referred to the Education Welfare Officer. When a child arrives at school after the register has been closed (9:20am) an unauthorised late mark is recorded.

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Attendance Targets

Outstanding attendance is 100%.

Good attendance is any attendance between 95% and 99%.

Cause for concern attendance is between 90% and 94% and will be closely monitored.

Poor attendance is any attendance below 90% and will be referred to the Education Welfare Officer.

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Sickness

Parents/Carers must contact school on the day of the absence. This can be done by a phone call to school or a verbal message. When you call school choose option 1 to leave a voicemail message.

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Appointments

Wherever possible appointments should be made outside school hours. If this is not possible please inform the school office. Your child must return to school after the appointment.​

 

Holidays​

Children can not have a holiday during term time. Unauthorised holiday absences will result in a fixed penalty notice of £80 per adult per child (if paid within 21 days) or £160 (if paid within 28 days). 

• If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within a three year period, this will be charged at the higher rate £160.

• If a parent receives two fines in a three year period, prosecution will be considered, resulting in a fine of up to £2,500.

• If your child's attendance falls below 90% and they are absent from school for five days or more then prosecution will be as above.