Attendance

Every school day counts towards your child’s future

Days off school add up to lost learning

 

Your child should not be absent from school for any of the following reasons:

 

→        Holidays during term time

→        Shopping

→        Looking after family or house

→        Getting up late

→        Birthdays

→        Looking after brothers or sisters

 

10 days absence = 95% attendance

 

19 days absence = 90% attendance

 

29 days absence = 85% attendance

 

38 days absence = 80% attendance

 

Being frequently late for school also adds up to lost learning:

 

• Arriving 5 minutes late every day adds up to over 3 days lost each year.
• Arriving 15 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 2 weeks a year.

 

Attendance is monitored every half term and letters sent out where absence is causing a concern.

Parents often contact us to request a leave of absence for their child during term time.  In such cases a form seeking permission needs to be completed (see PDF below or a paper copy can be obtained from the school office).

For many years now we have  not actually been  allowed to authorise holidays that are taken during term time.  If absence during term is caused by a holiday then the code ‘G’ is applied and this is recorded as ‘unauthorised absence’.  Fines can be given by  Dorset County Council  for holidays that are 5 (10 sessions) days or longer. 

Further information about attendance policy can be found in the statutory information section of our website.