Attendance
From the first day of term to the last, the small moments in a school day make a real difference to your child.
To ensure all of our pupils can fulfill their potential within their educational achievement, wellbeing and development of positive peer relationships – attendance is at the heart of this ethos.
At Great Wakering Primary Academy, we are committed to supporting parents and carers understand the importance of attendance. Our pastoral team are available to help develop an understanding of the root causes of any absence and find positive ways to move forward.
What to do if your child is absent:
If your child is absent for any reason, please call our office on 01702 219435 the morning of their absence. Please provide your child’s full name, class and the reason for their absence. We will additionally need to be notified if the absence continues into the following day.
If you are concerned about whether you should keep your child off due to illness, please visit the link below as to the NHS and Government guidelines for guidance.
Shoud I keep my child off school checklist poster (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Authorised Absence
There is no entitlement in law for pupils to take time off during the term to go on holiday. Headteachers are bound by this law and are unable to grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are “exceptional circumstances”. Exceptional circumstances are defined as follows:
● The occasion of bereavement of an immediate family member.
● Where it is company/organizational policy for an employee to take leave at a specified time in the year and there is no opportunity for a family holiday in school holidays. This must be supported by documentary evidence from the organization.
● Service personnel returning from/scheduled to embark upon a tour of duty abroad.
● Where a holiday is recommended as part of a parent or child’s rehabilitation from a medical or emotional issue. (Evidence must be provided, from qualified professionals, such as a doctor).
● An opportunity which is of unique and significant emotional, educational or spiritual value to the child which outweighs the loss of teaching time.
We ask that parents and carers respect these regulations under which we work to, and that if you do ask to take your child out of school during term time you make very clear in your request as to how the circumstances are exceptional.
Unauthorised Absence
Unauthorised absences are those which the school does not consider reasonable and for which no leave has been given. This type of absence can lead to the school referring to the Local Authority for penalty notices and/or legal proceedings. This could include issuing a parent a fine of £60 per child, per parent, if paid within 21 days rising to £120 per child, per parent, if paid within 28 days or furthermore referring the matter to the judicial system.
Penalty notices are sent by post, there is no right of appeal against a penalty notice and these are paid online.
School Day timings:
Punctuality is important to ensure your child is able to participate in the fun and educational experiences that our school offers.
We continue to maintain a dedicated and resolute focus on ensuring all of our pupils develop good patterns of attendance and punctuality, for their education and wellbeing and greatly appreciate your support with this.
Helpful links:
School attendance and absence: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Pay a school penalty notice - Penalty notice - Essex County Council (achieveservice.com)
