16 Jan 2008 - EVERY DAY COUNTS
EVERY DAY COUNTS
Missing School is Missing Out!
Most parents want their children to get on well in life. Nowadays, it is more important than ever to have a good education behind you if you want opportunities in adult life. Children only get one chance at school, and your child’s chances of a successful future may be affected by not attending school regularly.
Not only do children miss academic work, they are also missing out on the social side of school life, especially at infant school. This can affect children’s ability to make and keep friendships, which is a vital part of growing up.
Setting good attendance patterns from an early age will also help your child later on. Employers want to recruit people who are reliable. So children who have a poor school attendance record may have less chance of getting a good job. Being on time is also vital. Arriving late at school can be very disruptive for your child, the teacher, and the other children in the class.
* * * EVERY DAY ABSENT FROM SCHOOL IS AN
By law, all children of compulsory school age must get a suitable, full-time education. As a parent, you are responsible for making sure this happens. Once your child is registered at school you are responsible for making sure he or she attends regularly and punctually.
Of course there may be times when your child has to miss school because she or he is ill. This is to be expected, and for the odd day off sick you should follow the school’s procedures for notifying illness. You should phone the school on the first day of absence (as early as possible and before 9.30am please.) If you phone before the office is staffed, or if the school office is very busy, an answering machine will be activated. Please leave us a message stating your child’s name, class, and nature of their illness. Alternatively you may leave a message on our fax/answering machine on 01329 829237.
Please remember that, as a general rule children should not be in school if they have diarrhoea or vomiting, impetigo, conjunctivitis, or any of the common childhood infectious diseases. (Please note our rule that in the case of vomiting or diarrhoea children should not return to school until 24 hours after their last bout of illness) If you are not sure, please telephone the school office for clarification. We are able to administer some prescribed medicines in school following completion of the appropriate documentation in the school office, by a parent.
Children may also have to attend a medical or dental appointment in school time. However, if at all possible, please try to make routine or non-urgent appointments during the school holidays or after school.
* * * ANY ABSENCE MUST BE REQUESTED AS FAR IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE * * *
* * * ABSENCES CAN ONLY BE AUTHORISED BY THE SCHOOL * * *
This applies to holidays taken during term time. We would not wish to deprive families of their well-earned annual break and we recognize that it is often expensive to take a holiday during school breaks. However, it is important that parents carefully consider the implications of taking their child out of school during term time.
Some children take dance/music exams, which are held in school hours. You may complete an absence request form in this respect. These forms are also available from the school office. If you wish to take your child out of school for any other reasons please send in a letter giving details.
* * A TWO-WEEK
All Schools are required to meet an annual attendance target. Our target this year is to achieve a whole school attendance of 95.2%.
We are therefore duty bound to closely monitor the attendance of all children in school, and in particular those children whose attendance (for whatever reason) falls below 90%. We are responsible, by law, for reporting attendance to the Local Authority. We will refer cases of particular concern to our Education Welfare Officer, who will help parents to meet their responsibility. As a parent you are committing an offence if you fail to make sure that your child attends school regularly and punctually.
* * * WHAT CAN I AS A PARENT DO TO HELP? * * *
· If your child is ill or absent for any other reason, contact the school on the first day of absence
· Follow the school's procedures for notifying absence
· Always let the school know of any days that your child is unable to attend
· Make sure your child arrives at school on time.
· Arrange family holidays and extended trips to coincide with school holidays whenever possible
· Ask the school’s permission in advance if you wish to miss school for an exceptional reasons
· Exceptional reasons are: approved parental holiday
family bereavement
a day of religious observance
· Unacceptable reasons for absence are: shopping
birthday treats and trips mislaying uniform waiting in for an engineer car breakdown
non-urgent medical and dental appointments
· Take an interest in your child’s education.
· Ask them about their day, and praise and encourage their achievements at school
· Make sure your child understands that you do not approve of them missing school
· Be on the alert for any particular reasons for your child not wanting to attend school, such as bullying, problems with school work, or difficulties with separating from a parent
· If you are concerned about this issue please contact the school
YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT
REGULAR ATTENDANCE HELPS CHILDREN FULFILL THEIR POTENTIAL
AND GIVES THEM A CHANCE OF A BETTER LIFE
Alison Pratt Steve Hawker
Head Teacher Chair of Governors Education Welfare Officer
January 2008