Attendance
It is vital that pupils attend school, on time, every day in order to gain the greatest benefit from their education.
St Oswalds CE Primary School promotes the view that regular attendance is important to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for all of our children.
As a distinctly Christian school we will promote positive behaviour and good attendance through our use of daily collective acts of worship, Religious Education, the curriculum and a wide range of learning materials.
All children should be at school, on time, every day the school is open, unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. All children are sometimes reluctant to attend school. Any problems that arise with attendance are best resolved between the school, the parents/carers and the child.
School opens at 8:30am and the school gates close at 8:45am. All children are expected to be in their class by 8:50 am.
School closes at 3:15pm for all pupils
We expect pupils to arrive and to be collected punctually at the start and end of each day.
Senior Leaders in school monitor attendance carefully and regularly. If persistent absence and/or lateness are identified, contact will be made with parents to make them aware of the issue and discuss ways that this can be improved. Please read our attendance policy for further details.
Absence from School
If any child has not been registered or the school has not been notified about a child’s absence by 9:30am, the school will contact the parent(s)/carer on the first morning.
If your child is significantly unwell and unable to attend school, we request that parents/carers telephone the school office on each and every day of the absence, before 8.30am and clearly state the reason for their absence.
Diarrhoea, sickness, childhood illnesses e.g. measles, chicken pox, extremely high temperatures, are genuine illnesses. Children should not stay home if they have minor coughs, colds, tummy aches and headaches. If your child is too poorly to remain at the school, the school will contact you to collect them.
Where possible, we ask that routine medical/dental appointments are arranged outside of the school day.
Where this is not possible, please bring the appointment letter/card to the school office in advance.
Authorised Absence - where the school approves pupil absence.
These absences may include sickness, hospital, emergency dentist appointments and religious holidays.
Under the provisions of the Education Act 1993 only the school and not the parents/carers can authorise absence.
A pupil is deemed to have an authorised absence when he/she is unable to attend either because: -
· They are ill
· Of a religious observance
· Of a bereavement or some exceptional circumstances negotiated with the Head Teacher
Lateness
Children who are late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of others.
School begins at 8.45am with the bell ringing at this time and all children should be in their classroom for 8.50am. Any child arriving later than this time should enter via the main entrance, and report to the school office kiosk where parent(s)/carer should give the reason for the lateness for the register. Children arriving after the register has been taken will be marked 'U', unauthorised absence.
10 Sessions of Unauthorised absence in a rolling 10 week period: A Penalty Notice may be considered when there have been 10 sessions of unauthorised absences in a 10 week period.
Rewards
Children with 100% attendance for the term will be rewarded with a certificate at the end of each term and for ones with 100% attendance for the year will receive a book voucher at the end of year assembly in July.
Family Holidays during term time
Parent(s)/Carer(s) will be strongly urged to avoid booking a family holiday during term time. Holiday’s will not be authorised in term time. Parent(s)/Carer(s) do not have the right to take their child or young person out of school for such a holiday. A child who is absent longer than 10 days after an agreed return date, can legally be removed from the school roll and may be liable to prosecution.
Further guidance can be found here:
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/school-attendance/taking-children-out-of-school.aspx
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