Online Leave of Absence Request Form.

Official Opening Hours

08:30	Pupils welcome to arrive at school (playgrounds supervised)
08:45	Official start of school day for pupils in reception upwards
09:00	Official start of school day for nursery pupils, though they are welcome to arrive earlier with siblings
12:00	Lunch
13:00	End of lunch
15:30	Official end of school day

In a typical week, this amounts to 33.75 hours per week.

Absence Reporting Procedures

Parents/carers are requested to inform school of their child’s absence at their earliest convenience (01969 650331). If we have not heard from parents/carers before 09:00, the administration team will make contact.

If your child’s illness lasts for more than one day, you must phone school daily and inform us why your child is still absent. If your child’s illness lasts longer than 48hrs and you have not already done so, we advise you to seek medical attention.

Parental illness is NOT a good reason for children not attending school. Children must attend school every day unless they personally are ill.

Lateness

• Pupils arriving at school after 08:50 but before 09:15 will be marked as late (before close of register) – does not apply to nursery pupils
• Pupils arriving at school after 09:15 will be marked as late (after close of register) – applies to all pupils (this is the same as an unauthorised absence)

Scroll to the bottom of the page to read about persistent lateness.

School Attendance

The staff of The BAWB Federation is committed, in partnership with parents/carers, children, governors, the diocese, and our Local Authority, to building schools which serve the community and of which the community is proud. We believe that in order to achieve our ‘aspirational education for all’, good attendance is essential. Full and regular attendance at school is crucial for a child’s future life chances and establishes a positive work ethic early in life. To this end, we will do all we can to encourage parents/carers to ensure their children achieve maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent full attendance are identified and acted on promptly.

In 2021-2022 (the last year for which we have comparisons data) our schools’ were at or below the national average for absence. Overall absence rates are taken from ‘compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk’

Pupils are expected to achieve 100% attendance, but when absence is unavoidable, parents/carers will be required to inform the school at the earliest opportunity.

Every Day Counts

We want every child to achieve their full potential and we know that parents share this goal. There is a clear link between good attendance and educational achievement. If your child is not in school, on time, as often as possible they will be missing out on many important parts of their education.

Regular school attendance will mean that your child has a better chance in life. Your child will achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day as they:

• learn better
• make friends
• are happier
• have a brighter future.

The Government regards 95% as the minimum satisfactory attendance for a school pupil. <90% is defined as ‘persistent absence’. Days off school add up to lost learning. Please don’t let your children miss out on the education they deserve.

How Does Your Child’s Attendance Compare?

Attendance (over a full year)	Equates to this number of days absent	Which is approximately this number of weeks absent	Which means approximately this number of lessons missed
95%	9 days	2 weeks	50 lessons
90%	19 days	4 weeks	100 lessons
85%	29 days	6 weeks	150 lessons
80%	38 days	8 weeks	200 lessons

We monitor attendance closely and contact parents to inform them and offer support where attendance has dropped and causes concern.

We are always happy to work with families to support and improve attendance.

Family emergencies need careful consideration. It is not always in the best interests of the pupil to miss school for family emergencies that are being dealt with by adult family members. School and school friendships and relationships can provide pupils with stability and care during difficult times. The routine of school can provide a safe and familiar background to life during times of upheaval.

Medical Appointments

If your child has a medical appointment, please notify school (via the office staff) with a copy of your child’s letter or appointment card. We will take a copy for our records. If the appointment letter or card is not submitted, your child’s absence will be recorded as unauthorised. 

Absence and our Safeguarding Duties

If your child is absent from school, you do not inform school and we cannot make contact, a member of the leadership team will visit your home to check all is well and to determine why your child is absent from school. If you are not present, you will be left a letter asking you to contact school. It is very important that you contact school and inform us why your child is absent. If we do not hear from you, we will be concerned and may make a referral to Children’s Services.

It is a parent/carer’s legal responsibility to ensure their children receive appropriate education. Failing to send your child to school regularly without good reason is a criminal offence. If your child’s level of absence is a concern, school will offer advice and support to improve attendance. 

Leave in Term Time

Head teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Unauthorised absence of this nature may be subject to a fine. The head teacher will determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted. Please observe these regulations. They have been re-written with the education of your child at their heart. Should there be any exceptional circumstances, please make an appointment to discuss them with the Head Teacher before making any bookings.

Please find an online form HERE to submit a leave of absence request. Alternatively, click here to download an application form which should be completed by the parent/carer and returned to the school as far in advance as possible and at least 6 weeks before the first date of the period of leave being requested.

Parents/carers must obtain the schools permission before making any arrangements for leave in exceptional circumstances, otherwise the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Persistent Lateness

As you may be aware, the law treats some persistent lateness in the same way as irregular attendance and parents may be prosecuted by the local authority if late arrival is not resolved.

Poor punctuality can lead to your child…

• Feeling embarrassed in front of their friends
• Missing the beginning of vital lessons
• Missing important instructions for the rest of the school day
• Learning bad habits which could affect their employability in the future

Persistent lateness is monitored by the school and if there is no improvement, parents will be invited into school to meet with the Headteacher.