Regular and punctual attendance at school is essential for enabling children to reach their full potential; there are expectations for pupils, parents and the school to enable this to happen.
These expectations are set out in the Home School Agreement which all parents and pupils are asked to sign annually (from Sept 2024).
At Redwell Primary School we are required to:
- Expect high standards of attendance (above 96%.)
- Monitor attendance patterns
- Listen to and understand parents and children to identify the barriers to attendance
- Facilitate support to ensure parents and children can improve attendance
- Formalise support when voluntary support is not working
- Enforce attendance through statutory intervention with support from North Northamptonshire Council (Education Inclusion Partnership Team)
If your child is absent from school for any reason, please let us know by telephone, email or in person on the first day of absence. Please note that you will need to contact school on each day of absence – even if the absence is continuous. Please also note that on your child’s return to school, you may be asked to bring to the office medical evidence relating to their absence.
If a phone call or note is not received, the school will contact you. Please ensure you give enough specific detail for us to make an absence authorisation decision. If we require more information, we may call you back or visit home.
A pupil’s absence from school will be considered as unauthorised until a satisfactory explanation is received from the parent. If a child’s attendance falls below 90% the Education Inclusion Partneship Team (EIPT) will be notified.
What are authorised and unauthorised absences?
Authorised absences are absences which the school seeks to allow. This can include:
- Sickness / illness with medical evidence
- Emergency dental / medical appointment (please make routine appointments after school hours)
- Day of religious observance (a per the annual faith calendar chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/6877/faith-calendar-2024)
Except in the case of illness, you should ask for permission for your child to miss school well in advance, giving full details. Requests for absence during term time must be made to the Principal.
Government guidelines, prevent Principals from granting any leave of absence during term time, unless there are exceptional circumstances. If a request for leave is granted, it is at the Principal’s discretion to determine the number of school days a child can be away from school. The current law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time and parents can be fined. Please also be aware that any unauthorised absence will remain on your child’s record for the entire duration of their education.
Unauthorised absence refers to absences which the school does not allow. This can include:
- Family holidays
- Day trips
- Your child missing school for their birthday
- Shopping
If your child is absent or late to the extent that it begins to affect their progress we will speak to you or send you a letter.
Help with getting your child to go to school
If you’re having trouble getting your child to go to school, the school and local council can help.
The school will discuss attendance concerns with you and should agree a plan with you to improve your child’s attendance.
Parents can also contact the Education Inclusion Partnership Team for advice and support.
Attendance and Behaviour Support for Parents