Each day the school gate opens at 8.40am for children to come into the building and get settled, ready to start learning at 8.45am. A child arriving after 8.40am will be marked as late and a child arriving once the registers have closed will be marked as an 'unauthorised absence'. Our school day finishes at 3.15pm. We rely upon you to ensure that children are in school every day and on time as it is vital that your child is in school every day to enjoy learning and to be with their friends.
At Samlesbury, we expect children to attend school every day, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so. We feel that the most important way to promote good attendance is to ensure that both pupils and parents have a positive relationship with school. Research shows that pupils who attend school regularly are more likely to do well in the future. Regular attendance helps children to develop their confidence and to make and keep lasting friendships.
What is ‘good’ attendance?
Anything less than 100% attendance means that your child is missing out on their education. For example, 90% attendance is the same as missing half a day each week, or one whole month a year off school. Punctuality is also very important. School starts at 8.45am each morning. Did you know, that being just 15 minutes late each morning means your child would miss the equivalent of 10 days from school each year?
If your child is absent
If you know your child is going to be absent from school, you should:
- where possible, ring school at the earliest opportunity to let them know. Call Sandra, our bursar, on 01772 877200 or leave a message on the answer machine.
- send an email to school explaining the reason for the absence (in advance if possible—for example if your child has a doctors appointment).
School will contact parents if they are in any doubt as to the whereabouts of a child. This year, our whole school attendance target is 97%.
Sickness & diarrhoea - 48 hour rule
From time to time children are sick (vomit) either at home or at school. Unfortunately it is not possible to distinguish between the different causes of vomiting, and therefore it is essential that the same rule of exclusion applies in all cases of vomiting or diarrhoea - 48 hours from the last episode of sickness or diarrhoea.
If your child vomits or has diarrhoea at school, we will ask you or your emergency contact to take your child home. They should not return for 48 hours. We appreciate that this is inconvenient in many cases, especially when children often bounce back quickly and may appear well before 48 hours, but you will appreciate that this rule is based on governmental guidance and is something we apply to all cases, which should reduce the risk of infection for all children and staff in school. As an example, if your child is sick at lunchtime on a Tuesday, they should not return to school until after lunch on Thursday, provided there have not been any further episodes of vomiting.
Other illnesses
A useful poster has been created by the Public Health Agency outlining guidance on other common childhood illnesses and diseases. This is called 'Guidelines for the Control of Infection and Communicable Disease in School and Early Years Settings” and can be found here: 'Guidance on Infection Control in Schools'.
Leave in term time
Leave in term time is not a ‘right’. Absence from school can have a serious impact on your child’s education. All requests for leave in term time must be made in advance of confirming any arrangements and may be granted at the Headteacher’s discretion depending on the circumstances. Changes to the governmental regulations mean that schools can only authorise leave in term time if the circumstances surrounding the request are considered to be exceptional. Forms are available from the school office.
Holidays during term time will not be authorised and you may receive a penalty notice, should the holiday extend for five school days or more. However, shorter unauthorised leave will be monitored and further absence(s) can reach this threshold, meaning a penalty notice can still be issued.
Support with attendance
If the attendance of a pupil is low, the parents will be contacted and asked to meet with school staff to see how this can be improved. Support will be offered to both parents and pupils as required. The use of a ’Parent/School Agreement’ may also be considered.
If attendance concerns remain, school will consider referral to external agencies, such as the Local Authority Pupil Attendance Support Team. The use of penalty notices may also be considered under certain circumstances, including where leave is taken without agreement. We want to work together to give your child access to their right of full time education.
Holidays in Term Time leaflet
Holidays leaflet for parents
Attendance Policy
First Aid and Medicines Policy