Punctuality
School begins at 8.45am and all pupils are expected to be in school for registration at this time. Pupils who are late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of others. Where persistent lateness gives cause for concern further action may be taken. In the first instance this will involve a discussion with the parent or carer followed by a letter home if the situation does not improve.
The guidance below seeks to inform parents/carers about children arriving late to school. The procedure will be as follows:
- 8.40am: Doors open, children come in
- 8.50: Register is taken.
- If a child does not get to school on time and enters through the front entrance, parents will be asked to sign them in and they will automatically recieve a late mark in our electronic registers.
- 9.00 Register is closed.
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Procedure
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Note
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Action
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Phase 1 |
Child has received 3 late marks in the register |
Discussion with parents to ascertain the reasons and explain the process if this continues |
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Phase 2 |
Children receives a further 4 late marks (7 in total) |
Formal letter to the parents/carers from governing body regarding the need for improvement in punctuality |
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Phase 3 |
Children receive a further 3 late marks (10 in total) |
A formal note will be placed on the child's record which will transfer to Secondary school with a further letter to parents. |
Holidays
Absence requests due to changes in legislation now mean that only requests in exceptional circumstances will be granted. Guidance from the DfE explains that these reasons should not be authorised.
- Extended family holidays
- One day trips to see relatives
- Birthday or event holidays
- “Educational” visits
- Holidays to long haul destinations
If parents make the decision to go ahead and take their children out of school for a family holiday this will be documented as an unauthorised absence and fixed penalty fine may be issued. The fine is £60 per parent per child for the episode of absence. An absence request form must still be completed and returned to the Headteacher.
THESE ARE A LIST OF SOME REASONS WHEN THE HEADTEACHER CAN AUTHORISE A HOLIDAY.
- * Parent in the armed forces returned home for limited period in term time during tours of duty
- * To allow family time prior to and following the death of a very close relative
- * Life threatening and life limiting illness of child or sibling
- * Visit abroad prior to family moving there
Fixed Penalty Notice Amendments
From 1st September 2015 the amendments to 2007 regulations will reduce the timescales for paying a Fixed Penalty Notice. Parents will have 21 days instead of 28 days to pay the £60 if unpaid the fine will double to £120 and parents will have 28 days instead of 42 days to pay.