Attendance & Punctuality

One of the most important things affecting a child's progress at school is regular attendance. For a child to gain most benefit from education, it is vital that parents work in partnership with the school to encourage good attendance and punctuality.

School Attendance

Attendance and punctuality is a life skill and in school we strive to support our pupils to maintain high levels of attendance. The national average school attendance for primary schools is 96%; this is the MINMUM attendance figure that we, as a school, are expected to achieve by the Government and Ofsted.

Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their children have an education.

Section 444 (1) of the Education Act 1996 states "if a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his/her parent is guilty of an offence."

For the purposes of education law, the definition of 'parental responsibility' lies with whomever the child resides with; this could be one parent, both parents or carer/s.

Absence from school

The 2013 regulation amendments make clear that a headteacher may NOT grant any leave of absence (holiday) during term time unless there are 'exceptional circumstances'. The amendments give parents NO entitlement to take their child out of school for a holiday in term time.

If you need to request a leave of absence for your child/ren, please complete the form below. Completion of the form does NOT guarantee the leave of absence will be authorised. You may be asked to attend a meeting in school to discuss your child/ren's attendance following a leave of absence submission. It is important to have read and fully understood the school's attendance policy; this can be found on the website under the Virtual Office - Policies page.

Authorised absence

• Illness: if a child is unable to attend school due to illness, it is expected that parents/carers will provide an explanation on the first day the absence occurs. School should be informed by 9.00am either by telephone, leaving a voice message or personally calling into the school office. School should be kept updated of any on-going absence on a daily basis.

• Special circumstance: very occasionally there is a situation that prevents a child from attending school (e.g. bereavement of close family member). The register will be marked with an authorised absence code in this instance

• Authorised term time holiday: in exceptional circumstances the federation headteacher may authorise a leave of absence (e.g. close family wedding, special celebration).

• Medical appointment: if your child has a medical appointment, please contact the school to advise the time of the appointment and expected time to return to school. Please bring the appointment letter/card so this may be noted on the pupil's record

Unauthorised absence

• Term time holiday: school expects that parents take all holidays during the 14 weeks per year that children are not in school. If you plan to take your child out of school during term time, please complete a leave of absence form and return to school

Punctuality/lateness

The school day starts at 8.30am and finishes at 3.00pm.

If your child arrives to school after 8.30am they will need to be accompanied by an adult into school via the school office where they will need to be signed into school on the 'sign in' board.

Pupils who are consistently late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of other children in their class. Where persistent lateness gives cause for concern, further action may be taken. Cheshire East Council can issue a fixed penalty notice if a child is late, after the registers close, for 10 sessions or more over two consecutive half terms.

Every second counts:

• 5 minutes late each day means three whole days of education lost each year

• attendance affects learning

• attendance affects future outcomes

• attendance affects well being and a sense of belonging

IMPORTANT NOTICE: CHANGES TO ATTENDANCE LAWS

These changes were effective from 19th August 2024 and have been in place since September 2024 as part of a new National Framework for Penalty Notices, including those for unauthorised holiday absences.

We understand that these new regulations might bring up some questions or concerns, and we want to assure you that we are here to support you through this transition.

What Are the Changes?

1. National Threshold for Unauthorised Absences: Beginning 19th August 2024, a penalty notice will be considered if your child accumulates 10 unauthorised sessions (equivalent to 5 school days) within a rolling 10-week school period, for any reason.  

2. Holiday Absences: We understand the importance of family time, but under the new rules, taking your child out of school for a week’s holiday during term time will now result in a penalty notice being issued.  

3. Increased Penalty Fines: The fine for unauthorised absences will increase from £60 to £80 if paid within 21 days. If not paid within this period, the fine will rise to £160 if paid within 28 days.  

4. Repeat Offenses: If a second penalty notice is issued for the same child within a rolling 3-year period, the fine will automatically be £160, with no option to pay the lower rate. Should further absences occur, the local authority may consider additional enforcement actions.  

5. Additional Enforcement Options: In the case of a third offence within a 3-year period, the local authority will consider further steps to address the attendance issues.

6. We’re Here to Support You: We understand that these changes may seem challenging, and that life can sometimes make regular attendance difficult. If you have any concerns about how these new rules might impact your family, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s Education Family Support Worker. They are available to discuss your situation and provide support, whether it is offering advice, resources, or helping to find solutions that work for your family.

Education Family Support Worker

Attendance and Children Out of School Service

Children & Families | Cheshire East Council

Floor 5 Delamere House | c/o Municipal Buildings | Crewe

CW1 2BJ

Concerns about a child – Cheshire East Consultation Service (CHECS) 0300 123 5012 (opt 3), Out of Hours0300 123 5022