Attendance and Punctuality

Your child is a registered pupil at Veritas Primary Academy, therefore must attend regularly and punctually.

The Government expects students of Primary school level to have above 95% attendance. The school has a legal duty to report poor attendance to the Local Education Authority. If your child is not attending school regularly, the school will make a referral to the Education Welfare Officer who may visit or write to you.

The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 amended section 444 of the Education Act 1996 to allow parents to be issued with a penalty where they failed to ensure their child of compulsory school age (5-16) and school registered regular attendance.

A penalty notice is initially for £60. If this £60 is not paid within 21 days from the date of issue it rises to £120. If, after 28 days of the date of issue the £120 is not paid we will prosecute the parents under section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996. This will lead to a hearing in the Magistrates Court and may result in a fine of up to £1,000

As a parent, you are committing an offence if you fail to make sure that your child attends school regularly, even if they are missing school without your knowledge. Under section 7 of the Education Act 1996 you as the parent are responsible for ensuring that your child receives full time education.

Being at school is a very important part of any young person’s life.

It enables them to learn, to make friends, to gain important knowledge and to develop a variety of skills which will prepare them for adult life. School and parents are partners in making this a success. As parents or carers it is your responsibility to make sure that your child makes the most of this opportunity by attending regularly.

Schools have a legal duty to record the attendance of every pupil or record them absent or late.

The register is called at the beginning of both the morning and afternoon sessions. If a pupil has to leave school for any reason during the school day, school should be informed of this prior to the day. An appointment letter, text, email or slip should be shown to the office on collecting your child.

When the whole class arrives on time and registration can take place smoothly then the day starts off so much better. Although it is better for pupils to be late than not to be in school at all, when they do arrive late they miss out on an important part of the school day. Any pupil arriving late must follow the school’s late procedures signing in at the School Office. Explanation for this lateness should be provided by their parent or carer.

• 5 minutes late each day equals 3 days lost each year
• 10 minutes late each day equals 6.5 days lost each year
• 15 minutes late each day equals 10 days lost each year
• 20 minutes late each day equals 13 days lost each year
• 30 minutes late each day equals 19 days lost each

Your child will only be excused from school if a valid medical reason is given or proof of an appointment with doctor or dentist is provided and presented to the school office prior to their appointment.

Also all late children along with their parent / carer are to report to the school reception desk.

By law, schools must record absences and the reason given.

You are therefore requested to contact school on every day of your child’s absence by reporting their absence on the Arbor Parent Portal before 9 a.m.

The school office should be informed in writing of absences known in advance such as hospital, doctors or dental appointments. Same day doctors appointments will need to be confirmed by an appointment card collected from the surgery and brought to school when your child returns.

Family holidays should never be taken during school terms.

Where there are extenuating circumstances, an application should be made to the Headteacher a term in advance. The Headteacher can only authorise absence in exceptional circumstances. Further information is available from the school office.

The Headteacher may only grant leave of absence for exceptional circumstances.

Examples of any exceptional circumstances where leave may be granted during term time are as follows:

• If a parent is service personnel and is returning from a tour of duty abroad where it is evidenced the individual will not be in receipt of any leave in the near future that coincides with school holidays.
• Where an absence from school is recommended by a health professional as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue.
• The death or terminal illness of a close relative, only if Headteacher is satisfied that the circumstances are truly exceptional;
• Out of school programmes such as music, arts or sport operating at a high standard of achievement. Documentary evidence of this event will be required.

• Religious observance – The Education Act 1996 S444(3) (c), states ‘’on any day exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which his/her parent belongs’’;
• To attend a wedding or funeral of a close relative  if the Headteacher is satisfied that the circumstances are truly exceptional; Leave should only be authorised for this purpose when a Headteacher is satisfied that there is a persuasive reason for holding the wedding during term time and there WILL be an onus on parents to show clear evidence that this absence is absolutely an exceptional circumstance. In difficult family situations the Headteacher may use his/her discretion in granting leave and each case should be addressed on its individual merits, taking into account the overall welfare of the child.

If a request meets the above exceptional circumstances but falls within the following times, the Headteacher must be convinced that absence from school is the only option:

1) The first half term of any academic year (applies to all pupils).

2) Year six transition day (for pupils in year six).

3) Year six SATs week (for pupils in year six).

4) Year two SATS (for pupils in year two).

When considering exceptional term time leave requests, the following factors may help to reach a decision:

•  Time of the academic year when the leave has been requested
• Duration of the absence – number of school days being missed
• The child’s current attendance and punctuality rate
• Exceptional Term time leave requested/taken in previous academic years for a similar purpose
• Whether parent/carers have considered limiting the amount of time the child would be absent from school e.g. wrapping around school holiday
• Have alternative care arrangements been considered by the parent/carer to limit the time away from school
• Impact on any interventions, assessments or referrals being undertaken with the child or family e.g. family support, social care assessments, CAMHS, SEN
• The impact that the absence will have on the child.
• Whether it falls within any key stage national tests or exams;

Examples of circumstances NOT considered as exceptional

• Holidays abroad for the purpose of visiting a sick relative, except where that person is seriously ill. Medical evidence may be requested.
• Holidays taken in term time due to lower cost/parental work commitments.

Only the school can authorise an absence.

An explanation given by a parent is not, necessarily, sufficient for the school to authorise an absence.

Illness

• You must report your child's absence on the Arbor Parent Portal before 9am to inform us of the reason for your child’s absence. 
• It is then your duty and responsibility to report your child's absence on each subsequent day of absence, unless your child has been advised by their doctor or their reason for absence falls under a specified exclusion period (which school will discuss with you).

Medical Appointments

• Parents are expected to make arrangements for medical and dental appointments outside of school hours, unless this is an emergency or a hospital appointment that would be difficult to change.
• Proof of all medical appointments are required. Please ensure an appointment card, text confirmation/reminder or hospital letter is shown to a member of the office team.

Holiday or Other Requested Leave of Absence

• If you need to take your child out of school for any other reason a Request for Leave of Absence is required to be completed in advance. Holidays will not be authorised unless this is for a military child who’s parent is due to be posted on active service. Please note that a copy of the posting order, or confirmation from the MOD, will be required to authorise your request.
• The Head Teacher will give consideration to the circumstances and your child’s current attendance record into consideration before making a decision on whether the reason for absence can be considered as ‘Exceptional Circumstances’.
• If you need to request an absence please complete our Absence Request Form and hand it to the school office for the Head Teacher’s consideration – Absence Request Form