Latest Letter 

Friday 11^th September 2026

Important Attendance updates

Dear Parents and Carers,

Attending school, on-time, every day, ensures that children can access the education to which they are entitled. Parents and schools need to work together to ensure that all children are given these opportunities. Attendance matters. 

In most aspects of life, 90% sounds amazing, however in terms of attendance, 90% means that your child has missed 10% of their education for that academic year.  If a child’s attendance is 90% for every year spent at our school, it means that they will have missed over 6 months of their learning by the time they leave. The Department for Education (DfE) consider attendance of 90% and below (each year) as persistent absence. 

Over the last 6 months we have been working closely with another school as part of the DfE RISE initiative, to review and develop our attendance procedures in school.

Our school’s Attendance Target set for 2025 by the Department for Education was 95 % .

With school not achieving our attendance target, we will be making some changes to how we would like parents to report absences.  This is so we have all the information we need to correctly code the absence. You may be asked more questions about your child’s absence and you will be expected to speak to a member of staff every day.

• How do I report my child’s absence?

From 8am call 01422 367161 to speak directly to a member of staff in the school office from 8am.  In this conversation, you can explain your child’s absence. Staff may ask further questions to clarify reasons for absence as appropriate and, in some circumstances, you may receive a call back from our Nurture and Safeguarding Officer.

• Why do I have to speak to a member of staff?

All schools have a safeguarding responsibility to ensure that all children on their roll are safe.

• When do I need to report my child’s absence?

From 8am, please call school and speak to a member of staff everyday of your child’s absence.  With this approach, school will have regular updates about your child’s welfare and we can support and make reasonable adjustments where this is appropriate.

• Why does the school office need to ask questions about my child?

This is so that school can fully understand why your child is absent and, where appropriate, offer support or adaptations.  This also ensures that our registers are coded accurately.

• Why can I not send an email or leave an answerphone message regarding my child’s absence?

We are making these changes to our policy to ensure that we have accurate information about all absences.  By speaking directly to a member of staff, this will avoid follow up emails and phone calls throughout the day.

• Why is our Nurture and Safeguarding Officer, Miss Taylor, ringing me when I have already spoken to the School Office?

In some instances, Miss Taylor may call parents to further discuss a child’s absence or to offer support in helping your child to attend.  These calls will also be made for children who have or who are developing absence patterns which may lead to persistent absence. Parents/carers need to be aware when these are developing to allow them to make informed choices.

• What do I need to do if I want to take my child out of school for a reason other than illness?
• Medical appointments – where possible please try to arrange these outside the school day. When a child needs to arrive late or leave early, please show a member of staff the time and date of your child’s appointment. In most cases, your child will be expected to attend school either side of the appointment.
• For all other absences, please complete a Leave of Absence Request in advance of the absence. Copies of this form can be found in the front office, on the website or can be emailed out to you.
• The DfE does not allow schools to authorise holiday in termtime. If you are planning on taking your child out of school for a period of time, please complete an absence request form.
• If you have a family emergency, e.g. need to attend a funeral in the UK or abroad, please complete an absence request form.
• If you are planning on taking your child abroad to visit a sick relative, please complete an absence request form.

As a school, we want to work with you. We want to support you and your child to attend school. We also encourage families to arrive on-time so routines are established and the children are settled and ready to learn. We know parking around school is limited, please remember that you can park and stride using Arden Road Social Club car park or enquire in school about wrap around care.

Only Blue Badge Holders are permitted to use the carpark at school drop off and collection times.

These are the key changes for reporting absence, for all further information regarding attendance, please refer to our policy on the website which will be uploaded following ratification by Governors on 17^th September 2026.  

I am sure you are aware of the increasing strain on school budgets. When parents do not inform school, this increases the admin tasks and may also include staff needing to leave their other duties in school to carry out a home visit to ensure your child is safe.

We thank you in anticipation of your support with the changes identified above to ensure our Safeguarding and Attendance Procedures are as effective as possible.

Mrs Huby                                             Mrs Eaton

Headteacher                                       Attendance Lead

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