Attendance

At Seadown School we believe good attendance and punctuality are important to children’s learning and in ensuring every pupil reaches their potential, both in terms of progress and achievement and social/emotional development and wellbeing. Good punctuality ensures that children are ready to learn.

 

Absence Procedures

If a child is absent parents/carers should:

  • Contact us as soon as possible on the first day of absence to provide a reason for the absence, ideally by 9am (and on each subsequent day of absence) advising when they are expected to return. School can be contacted by phone 01903 608750 and a message can be left on our absence line or by email via the school office office@seadownschool.co.uk

  • Parents/carers are responsible for informing the school of any absence, not the taxi/PA staff or the child. If the child is absent for more than 5 days without prior consent from the school, then a GP or illness letter can be asked for with parent/carer consent

If a child is absent we will:

  • Telephone the parent/carer on the first day of absence if we have not heard from them by 9:30am

  • Invite parents/carers in to discuss the situation with our Headteacher if absences persist and or provide a letter to highlight our concerns

  • Refer the matter to the local authority Education Attendance Officer (Pupil Entitlement) and/or a relevant social services designate if attendance moves below the school target of 90%.

 

Illness

We understand that it can be difficult to know whether or not your child is well enough for school.  The DFE has shared a useful link from the NHS that can be helpful in knowing if your child should attend school or not with so many different childhood illnesses https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

 

Absences

A pupil’s absence from school can only be authorised by the Headteacher. If you plan to take your child out of school during term time, the absence can only be authorised if it is considered that there are exceptional circumstance. It is for the Headteacher to decide whether they consider the reasons given amount to exceptional circumstances. If your child is absent without good reason, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised on the school register.

If you do not ask for or get permission to take your child out of school and do so regardless, your child's absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

 

Medical or Dental Appointments

Medical or dental appointments will only be authorised when they are for the pupil and the school is notified in advance. Whenever possible, appointments should be arranged outside of school hours to avoid disruption to learning.

Please be aware that the school may request medical evidence and may not authorise absence if this cannot be provided.

 

Term Time Holidays

Taking holidays in term time will affect your child’s schooling as much as any other absence and we expect parents to help us by not to take children away in school time.

There is no automatic entitlement in law to time off in school time to go on holiday.

All applications for leave must be made in advance, to the Headteacher, and may, or may not, be granted at the discretion of the school. In making a decision, the school will consider the circumstances of each application individually, including any previous pattern of leave in term time.

It is important that you understand the circumstances when leave in term time will not be agreed by us:

  • When a pupil is just starting the school. This is a very important time as your child needs to settle into their new environment as quickly as possible.

  • Immediately before and during assessment periods or any other public examinations.

  • When a pupil’s attendance record already includes any level of unauthorised absence.

  • Where a pupil’s attendance rate is already below (90%) or will fall to or below that level as a result of taking holiday leave.

Any period of leave taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed, will be classed as unauthorised and may attract sanctions such as a Penalty Notice via the Local Authority.

Please see the link to Attendance Policy