Absence

What happens if my child is away from school or is late?

Regular attendance is crucial and we expect all children to arrive punctually so that we can have a prompt and calm start to the day. We are required by law to distinguish between children’s authorised and unauthorised absences, and every year we have to publish statistics of all absences.

School timings and lateness:

• The school day starts at 8.30am when children can begin to come into school; 
• Registers are taken at 8.45am when children as expected to be in class.
• Children arriving after 8.50am are required to come into school via the school office. If accompanied by a parent/carer they must sign them in on Inventory and provide a reason for their lateness, which is recorded.
• At 9.20am the registers will be closed. In accordance with the Regulations, if your child arrives after that time, they will receive a mark that shows them to be on site – ‘U’, but this will not count as a present mark and it will mean that they have an unauthorised absence;
• The school may contact parents/carers regarding punctuality concerns;
• From time to time a member of school staff will undertake a ‘Late Gate’ check, greeting late arrivals at the main entrance to the school.  

Absent procedures:

• Contact the school on the first day of absence before 9am by calling 01279 813198 . You can leave a message on the absence line or speak to a member of the office team. You may also use the report absence function on Parentmail.
• Contact the school on every further day of absence, again before 9am
• Ensure that your child returns to school as soon as possible and you provide any medical evidence, if requested, to support the absence.

If you need to take your child out of school during the day for an appointment, please let us know either in person or by letter and provide proof of appointment. 

If you feel there are exceptional circumstances for which you need to take your child out of school, please complete the Essex Leave of Absence Request Form preferably with at least 2 weeks’ notice and return to the school office.

If you wish to take your child out for any other reasons, this will not be authorised, an application form still needs to be completed. Please do not report days out/holidays on Parent mail.