Attendance
The Importance of School Attendance
We want our children at Weald Rise Primary to enjoy coming to school. Our attendance ‘floor target’ is 96%, but we hope for 100%.
Absence from school can mean that your child does not reach their full potential.
Why is it so important to attend every day?
- Learning is a progressive activity; each day’s lessons build upon those of the previous day(s).
- Reading the material and completing work independently does not compensate for direct interaction with the teacher.
- Many classes use discussions, demonstrations, experiments and participation as part of the daily learning activities, and these cannot be made up by those who are absent.
Are there other benefits to my child?
- o Pupils with good attendance records generally enjoy school more and reach their full potential.
- o Having a good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life.
- o Regular school attendance patterns encourage the development of other responsible patterns of behaviour.
What are the risks of frequent absences?
- A child who does not attend school regularly will be unlikely to keep up with the work.
What can parents do to help?
- If your child is ill or must miss school for some other reason, please contact school immediately. If you ask for home learning, make sure your child completes it.
- Do not expect school to approve of shopping trips, birthday treats etc. during school hours. Arrange family holidays so that your child will not miss any learning.
Leave of Absence in Term Time
Since September 2013, government legislation has meant that schools are not allowed to authorise requests for children to be taken out of school for a holiday during term time.
Requests for leave can only be granted by the Headteacher if there are “exceptional circumstances” and holidays are not considered exceptional. Requests for leave must be made to the Headteacher in advance, as the Department for Education has told schools that they cannot authorise any absences after they have been taken.
An Educational Penalty Notice is a fine to parents or carers if they fail to ensure that their child/ren attend school regularly.
If an Educational Penalty Notice is issued, by the London Borough of Harrow, it will be one fine to cover the whole period of the absence. So, the fine would be the same amount for an absence of five days or 10 days. For example, a parent could be issued with £60.00 fine if their child misses one day of school each week over a five-week period, whilst another parent might be issued the same fine for one two-week block of absence.
Educational Penalty Notice fines are £60.00 per child per parent if paid within 21 days, and £120 if paid between 22 and 28 days. If the fine is not paid, parents will be reported for prosecution.
REMEMBER – Regular attendance is necessary for success in school. Help ensure that your child has the best opportunity for success by making sure he/she is in school every day.
