Attendance
Our Approach to Attendance
At Ealdham Primary School, we believe that good attendance is essential for children’s learning, well-being and safety. Children make the best progress when they attend school regularly and arrive on time each day.
We expect all pupils to attend school every day unless they are genuinely unwell. Parents and carers have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly, and the school has a duty to monitor attendance and follow up on any concerns.
Absence during term time is strongly discouraged. There is no automatic right to take holidays in term time, and leave of absence will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. Unauthorised absences, including term-time holidays, may result in a penalty notice being issued by the Local Authority.
Attendance is closely linked to safeguarding. For this reason, we monitor attendance carefully and always contact families on the first day of absence if we have not been informed.
We are strongly committed to working in partnership with our families and take a supportive approach where attendance is a concern. Our mantra is ‘curious, not furious,’ which means we will ask questions and seek to understand rather than making assumptions or placing blame. We know that families can face a wide range of challenges and our first response is always to listen, offer support and work together to find solutions.
Where attendance does not improve however, we may involve external agencies, including referring to the Local Authority Attendance Officer, to ensure children receive the education and support they are entitled to.
Good attendance is a shared responsibility, and every day counts!
Please click here for our Attendance Newsletter
Please click here for our Attendance Policy
Please click here for Leave of Absence information and request form
