Regular and punctual attendance is crucial to each child’s educational development and at Greenside Primary School we recognise our part in helping parents to meet their legal obligations in this respect.

Our aim is for all children to have attendance of 96% or better to enable them to make the most of all learning opportunities.

If your child can not attend school because of ill-health, or for another reason, parents are asked to ring the school on the first day of their child’s absence before 9.30am giving a reason for the absence. We must investigate individual instances of unexplained pupil absence and these, along with other absences, will be classed as ‘unauthorised absence’ if school is not satisfied with the reasons given for absence.

We are also obliged by law to monitor and report late attendance at school.

Holidays taken in term time disrupt children’s learning patterns. Amendments to the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 make it clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Requests for leave of absence will be judged on a case by case basis and leave of absence forms can be obtained from the school office. If a leave of absence request is refused and the absence is recorded as unauthorised, the Headteacher may refer the matter to the local authority requesting that a penalty notice be issued against the parent. Parents should read our Attendance Policy carefully and consider the full implications before deciding to remove their child for a holiday in term time.

Information on individual attendance is reported to parents on the child’s Annual Report, which is sent out every year in July. Concerns throughout the year will be raised with parents and, if necessary, the Education Welfare Officer will become involved to support them with attendance issues.