Attendance

Every Day Matters

At Southill Primary School, we want every child to attend school regularly and on time.

Regular attendance helps children to achieve well, build strong relationships, develop positive routines and feel that they belong to our school community.

We recognise that there can be times when attending school is difficult. Our approach is to work in partnership with children and families to understand any barriers to attendance and provide support wherever we can.

Our Expectations

We expect every pupil to attend school every day that the school is open unless there is a valid reason for absence.

The school day begins at 8.45am and finishes at 3.15pm.

The gates open at 8.45am and close at 8.55am. Children arriving after the gates have closed should enter through the school office.

Being in school and arriving on time gives children the best possible start to their day.

If Your Child Is Absent

If your child is unable to attend school, please let us know on the first day of absence and explain the reason.

Please contact the school office:

Telephone: 01305 773144

Parents and carers should continue to keep the school informed if an absence continues.

If we have not received a reason for a child's absence, we will contact you to establish why your child is not in school.

Illness

We understand that children will sometimes be too unwell to attend school.

If your child has a minor illness, such as a cough, cold or sore throat, they can often still attend school if they are otherwise well enough.

If you are unsure whether your child should attend, please contact us. We will be happy to discuss this with you.

Where a child experiences frequent or prolonged absence because of illness or another health need, we will work with the family and, where appropriate, other professionals to support their education and return to school.

Medical and Dental Appointments

Wherever possible, routine medical and dental appointments should be made outside school hours.

We recognise that this is not always possible. Where an appointment must take place during the school day, please provide the school with details of the appointment.

Children should attend school before or after their appointment wherever reasonably possible rather than missing the whole school day.

Holidays and Leave During Term Time

Parents and carers should arrange family holidays during school holidays.

The Headteacher cannot grant leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Any request for leave during term time must be made in advance. Each request will be considered individually, taking account of the circumstances of the request and the child's attendance.

A family holiday would not normally be considered an exceptional circumstance.

Unauthorised absence may result in further action in accordance with national attendance regulations and Dorset Council procedures.

Supporting Attendance

We understand that poor attendance is not always straightforward.

Children can experience barriers to attending school for many different reasons. Where attendance becomes a concern, our first priority is to understand what is happening and work with the child and their family to improve attendance.

Support may include:

• meeting with parents and carers to understand barriers to attendance

• listening to the child's views

• agreeing an attendance support plan

• making reasonable adjustments where appropriate

• working with our SENDCo or Designated Safeguarding Team

• accessing Family Help or other services where appropriate

• working with Dorset Council where additional attendance support is required

We encourage families to speak to us early if something is making it difficult for their child to attend school.

Persistent and Severe Absence

We monitor attendance regularly so that concerns can be identified and addressed as early as possible.

A pupil is considered persistently absent when they miss 10% or more of their possible school sessions.

A pupil is considered severely absent when they miss 50% or more of their possible school sessions.

Where attendance reaches concerning levels, we will work closely with the child and family to understand the reasons and agree the support and action needed to improve attendance.

Attendance and Safeguarding

Attendance is an important part of safeguarding children.

Unexplained, frequent or prolonged absence can sometimes indicate that a child or family needs additional support. We therefore follow up absences promptly and consider attendance alongside our wider safeguarding responsibilities.

Where we have concerns about a child's welfare, we will follow our safeguarding procedures.

Working Together

Improving attendance works best when school and families work together.

We ask parents and carers to:

• make school attendance a priority

• ensure their child arrives at school on time

• contact us promptly when their child is absent

• arrange routine appointments outside school hours wherever possible

• avoid taking holidays during term time

• talk to us as soon as possible if their child is experiencing difficulties attending school

We will listen, work with you and seek to provide appropriate support.

Attendance Policy

Full information about our attendance procedures, including absence, leave during term time and the school's approach to supporting and improving attendance, can be found in our Attendance Policy (below) which has been agreed by all local schools within the Chesil Partnership.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's attendance, please contact the school office on 01305 773144.