Attendance and Punctuality
Improving attendance is everyone’s responsibility. The barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates and are often specific to individual pupils and families. Attendance is a key priority for us at Monton Green Primary School: from the first day of term to the last, every lesson, and each moment (big or small) makes a difference to a child's learning and their wellbeing.
At Monton Green, we are keen to make sure your children are in school everyday and on time.
The school day starts with the opening of classroom doors at 8:50am; the classroom doors will close at 8:55am and the register taken. If a child arrives at school after this time, he/she will be deemed late. Pupils arriving at school after this time must report to the school office to be signed in. Children arriving after 9:25am will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
Absence Procedures
On the first day of absence, parents/carers should telephone or call in to the school office before 9:00am to inform school of the reason for the pupil's absence and the likely duration of the absence.
Parents/carers should contact school every day until the pupil returns. In circumstances of longer absences, the length of absence and the reasons why it is known the pupil will be unable to attend must be communicated with school.
As a school, we have a duty of care to all of our children: if school has not been notified of a child’s absence, the school office will attempt to make contact using the telephone numbers on the child’s data collection sheet to confirm their whereabouts. If school do not get a response, a home visit will be made by a member of staff to ensure that the child is safe and well.
Authorised Absences
These are absences where there are genuine reasons for a child being absent from school. In most cases, this will be for an illness which would mean that attending school would make that illness worse or that it would be passed on to other children; or in the case of a medical appointment which cannot be taken outside of school hours.
Unauthorised Absences
These are times where there is no justifiable reason as to why a child is absent.
How can parents/carers help with attendance?
- Keep requests for your child’s absence to a minimum.
- Offer a reason, or medical proof, for any period of absence, preferably before the absence or on the first day of absence.
- Ensure that your child arrives at school on time: a reason should be offered for any lateness.
- Work closely with the school to resolve any problems that may affect a child’s attendance.
- Take family holidays during school holiday periods and be aware that requests for holidays during term time will not be authorised.