Attendance / Absence Information

Why does attendance matter?

At Eton Porny we believe a good attitude to attendance from you and your child starts as soon as they start school and is carried on throughout your child’s education journey.  Children learn from their parents’ attitude towards attendance, that attending school is important and not something to be taken lightly. Being in school and having the best attendance possible underpins all the many benefits of school for your child, such as their learning, wellbeing and wider development.

What does % of attendance actually mean?

If your child attends 97% of one school year they will have had just over one week absent.  That is the equivalent to 5.5 weeks over their 5 years spent at School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Requests for exceptional leave of absence and penalty notices

Amendments made to the 2006 regulations in the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 came into force on 1 September 2013.  They clearly state that “headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.” Exceptional Circumstances do not include holidays, weddings or other family events either in the UK or abroad.  Under section 444(A) of the Education Act 1996, the Local Authority may issue Penalty Notices to parents of children with unauthorised absences from school.  The fines are issued to each parent, for each child, and are £60 if paid within 21 days, rising to £120 if paid between 21 and 28 days. Only in very limited circumstances can a Penalty Notice, once issued, be withdrawn. Failure to pay the fine will result in a prosecution in the Magistrates' Court under Section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996.

With the introduction of the new National Framework for Penalty Notices on 19th August 2024, there are significant changes in the way that Penalty Notices are to be issued and an increase in the charges associated with them.  For more information click HERE

Parents are required to complete this 'Request for Exceptional Leave of Absence Form', which should be completed at least 14 days prior to requested start date. 

Sickness and absence

We appreciate that children do get sick and may require occasional days off school for illness.  Please bear in mind however that general coughs and colds, unless debilitating, are not a reason to be off school.  Trained school staff are on hand to administer medicine, either prescription or child paracetamol etc., if required during the school day – simply provide the relevant medication and complete a form at the school office.  Vomiting and diarrhoea require 24 hours off from school since the last episode of illness.

What to do if a child is sick

First day: The pupil’s parent/carer must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence by 8:50am or as soon as practically possible by calling the school office and speaking to a member of staff or leaving a voicemail. If no explanation is received by 9.30am school staff will contact the parent.

Subsequent Absence: Parents/ carers need to notify the school office on each subsequent day of absence.

Medical/dental appointments

When making medical/dental appointments, every effort must be made to ensure appointments are outside school hours. Where this is not possible, the pupil should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary. Appointments must be accompanied by an appointment card or other written confirmation. Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised as long as the pupil’s parent/carer notifies the school in advance of the appointment.

Children below statutory age

Whilst we are aware that many of our Reception children will be below the statutory school age of 5 when starting in Reception, we consider the rules for attendance to be applicable and adhered to by parents.  Whether they are statutory age or not, your children are now ‘in school’ and poor attendance will have a direct effect on your child’s progress.  Children that fall behind due to not attending school on a regular basis will find it extremely difficult to make up the ground they have missed.

Punctuality

Any child arriving after 8:50am enters school via the main office and the parent/carer signs them in late stating the reason. Pupils arriving between 8:50am and 9:10am will be marked as late (L) before registers close. If they arrive after the register closes at 9:10am they are recorded as (U) late after the registers close.

Being late affects learning and disrupts the start of the day for the child. 

Further Information:

Eton Porny Attendance Policy

Government Guidance on Working With Parents To Improve Attendance

School Attendance and Absence