Attendance
Together with parents/carers we are keen to help and support all our pupils so they have the best possible experience at Cookley Sebright Primary School and reach their full potential. There is strong statistical evidence to show that pupils who have excellent attendance are more successful in school and achieve to a significantly higher standard. We are keen that everyone aims for 100% attendance at school and monitor this closely using outside agency support if your child’s attendance falls below 91%
Under the 2006 Education Regulations the school is legally required to register pupils twice daily. Registers are marked in the morning between 8.50 and 8.55am and in the afternoon between 1.15and 1.20pm. Morning registration closes at 9am prompt.
School starts at 8.50am when all pupils should be in their classroom ready for the register to be taken. It is a legal requirement that a register is taken at the start of the day. Not only does the process allow us to monitor attendance but also to act as a pupil checklist in respect of health and safety issues — e.g. Fire drill.
All term dates and scheduled INSET days are outlined clearly on the Term Dates page. We expect all pupils to be in school every day in the academic calendar unless there is a very good reason for their non-attendance.
Absence from school
Regular attendance at school is the responsibility of parents and carers. If your child cannot come to school because of illness you should advise the school on the first day of absence by telephone or email. If no message is received by 9.15, we will assume that your child is absent without your permission and the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. We will then make every effort to contact you. It is essential that the school is kept informed of changes of contact details such as phone numbers and addresses. In cases where we continue to be concerned we may make a 'home visit'.
The school will only authorise a medical/illness absence if the circumstances are unavoidable. The school may request medical evidence if a parent rings the school to confirm the child is unwell. This evidence can be in the form of a medical appointment card with one appointment entered, letter from a professional, doctor's note, medication prescribed by a doctor, copy of prescription, print screen of medical notes, as well as letters concerning hospital appointments. Proof of medical intervention may not always result in authorisation of an absence. We will always request this if a student’s absence is below 90%.
Holidays/ Leave of absence in term time (see Leave in Term Time Absence Policy
As you may be aware the Government has renewed appeals to parents not to take their children out of school during term time. The Governors of this school support this and pupils will only be given permission to take leave in term time if there are exceptional circumstances.
Amendments to the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 now state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence unless there are exceptional circumstances. There is no automatic right to any holiday in term time. There will be no appeal following the decision made by the Headteacher.
As a school we are asked to inform you that, in line with Worcestershire County Council Policy, unauthorised absence may be subject to a penalty notice fine of £60 payable per child, increasing to £120 each if not paid within 21 days. If this fine is not paid within 28 days this may lead to court proceedings.
We would hope that as parents/carers you are able to support this and leave should be restricted to the 13 weeks school holidays except in exceptional circumstances. If you do need to request permission for a holiday/leave of absence a holiday form can be collected from the office. The form must be fully completed by both parents (if applicable). Please return it to the office as soon as possible. You will then be informed whether or not the absence will be authorised by letter.
For any enquiries about this please telephone Mrs Hoult in the office.