Attendance and Punctuality
Regular attendance helps children establish secure routines, build relationships and benefit fully from the learning experiences we provide. Learning often develops from one day to the next, so experiences missed through absence can be difficult to recreate.
Good attendance and punctuality give children the best possible opportunity to feel confident, make progress and enjoy school.
Attendance at Nursery is not compulsory. However, attending regularly helps children become familiar with routines, form strong relationships and take part in a carefully planned sequence of learning.
We ask Nursery families to establish a consistent attendance pattern and tell us whenever their child will be absent.
If your child is unable to attend, please contact the school as soon as possible on the first day of absence.
You can:
Please provide your child’s full name and class, the reason for the absence and, if known, how long you expect your child to be absent.
Please contact us on each subsequent day unless you have already told us when your child is expected to return. If we have not received an explanation, a member of staff will contact you to confirm that your child is safe and establish the reason for the absence.
For guidance about illness and when your child should remain at home, please see our Health, Illness and Medicines page.
Arriving on time helps children settle calmly, greet their friends and take part in learning from the beginning of the day. Persistent lateness can affect a child’s learning and wellbeing.
Children should arrive in time for the beginning of their session or school day. Please see our School Day and Collection page for opening times and arrival arrangements. If you are experiencing difficulties arriving on time, please speak to us so that we can offer support.
Wherever possible, routine medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours.
If an appointment must take place during the school day, please tell the school office in advance and provide evidence of the appointment. This may be an appointment card, letter, email or text message.
Children should attend school before or after their appointment whenever it is practical for them to do so.
Leave during term time will not normally be authorised. The Headteacher may grant leave only when there are exceptional circumstances. We follow the Department for Education’s statutory guidance on school attendance.
Working Together to Improve School Attendance
Requests must be made in advance using the school’s Request for Leave of Absence form. Please provide full details so that the request can be considered properly. Each request will be assessed individually.
A family holiday, cheaper travel or convenience will not be considered an exceptional circumstance.
Taking a child out of school without permission will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and may result in further action in accordance with national and local authority guidance.
Children and families sometimes experience difficulties that affect attendance or punctuality, including illness, anxiety, changes at home, transport problems or other family circumstances. Please speak to us as early as possible. We will listen, discuss the challenges with you and work together to identify appropriate support. For help with attendance, contact Mrs Mehta through the school office.