Why it is important to attend school regularly?
At Westfield we know it is essential that children and young people form good habits of regular attendance at school from an early age and that good attendance is maintained throughout their school career. It is a legal requirement that all children should attend their educational provision and it is the parent/carers responsibility to ensure that their children attend school.
Educational research shows that there is a clear link between poor attendance at school and lower academic achievement. Children only get one chance at school. Learning missed is often never caught up; absence in the primary phase is just as serious as absence in the secondary phase. Westfield supports all pupils to achieve the highest attendance at school they can.
We recognise that some of our pupils will find it harder than others to attend school and it is important that all members of school community work closely together to remove barriers and build strong, trusting relationships which can secure good attendance for all our pupils.
Our curriculum and therapeutic approaches to behaviour, pastoral support, mental health and wellbeing will all contribute to
The Education Act 1996 states that all pupils should attend school regularly and punctually. ‘If a child of compulsory school age, who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his parent is guilty of an offence.’
Arrival at School
Our school day starts at 8.45am. Registers are marked from 9 a.m. and close at 9.15am. If a child arrives between 9.05am-9.15am they will be marked as late unless a valid reason is given or it is an agreed arrival time for other reasons. If a child arrives after 9.15am they will be marked as absent for that session.
When children arrive after 9.15 am, parents are expected to send a note to explain the reasons for lateness. Until such a note has been received and the explanation for lateness is accepted by the school your child’s mark will remain on their record as unauthorised.
Remember that persistent lateness can be legally counted as unauthorised absence.
Lateness
Persistent lateness can:
- Cause embarrassment to the child.
- Make it harder for the child to settle.
- Cause disruption to the rest of the class.
The school operates a First Day Response and will telephone families where children have failed to attend school in time for morning registration.
Unplanned absences:
Please inform the school by 8.45am on the morning of the first day of absence.
The telephone number of the school is 01305 833518. Parents and carers can leave a message if they ring out of office hours (8.30am-4.30pm)
The school email address is office@westfield.dorset.sch.uk
Keep the school informed if the absence is to continue.
A written explanation of your child’s absence may be required on return to school. If we do not receive a satisfactory explanation we will not authorise the absence. This will show up on your child’s end of year report.
Authorised and Unauthorised Absence
The school can only authorise any absences in the following circumstances:
- Genuine illness
- Dental/medical appointments (these should be made out of school hours where possible)
- Close Family bereavement
- Recognised religious observance
What is NOT acceptable?
- Going shopping
- Caring for a parent or sibling
- Day trips
- Birthdays
- Bad weather
- Family holidays will not be authorised
This is not a conclusive list.
Exceptional Circumstances
If you wish your child to be absent from school for any exceptional circumstances please complete a Special Leave of Absence Request form (available below or ask for a printed copy from the office) which will be reviewed by the Head Teacher.
This should be done at the earliest possible opportunity and with at least 2 weeks’ notice. Please note that the Head Teacher will take into consideration your child’s age, the time of year and the overall attendance pattern of your child and has the right to refuse your request for a leave of absence.
Planned absences:
Where possible, organise authorised absences well in advance.
Please try to arrange medical appointments during holiday times or out of school hours.
If you cannot make doctor or dentist appointments outside of school hours, wherever possible the child should come to school before the appointment and return to school afterwards.
Please provide an appointment letter or a written explanation beforehand.
Religious Observance
If you wish to take your child out of school for a religious observance please inform the school.
Family Holidays
Family holidays must not be taken during the school term. The guidelines from Dorset Council is that under no circumstances should schools authorise absence for holidays or other circumstances on the grounds of cost.
Please read the school’s Attendance Policy on our school website, which has more information on procedures.
