Attendance

Attendance Information

Attendance is a key factor in raising attainment; it is vital that children attend school regularly to maximise their learning. Our attendance target for every child is 96% but our aim is for even child to be in every day unless they are too ill to attend school.

To ensure that we apply our attendance policy effectively we operate a tiered approach to pupil attendance and work with a range of external partners when needed. Please click here for further information.

Attendance is a key factor in ensuring that children make friends and form strong relationships with adults in school. Furthermore, if children do not attend school, they may not fulfill their full potential because they will make slower progress in their learning. 

Punctuality

Children that arrive to school on time start the day settled, relaxed and ready to learn. Late arrivals cause disruption within the class which affects everyone. If you are experiencing difficulties with punctuality and would like to talk to us about it, please contact the school office.

My Child is ill

Very occasionally your child may not be well enough to attend school. Please advise the school office by 9.15am of your child’s absence. You can report pupil absence in these ways:

• Telephone on 0117 3773279
• Email via office@littlemead.tila.school
• Message via the MCAS app

 Absences must be reported each day your child is absent.

If your child is not in school and you have not contacted us with a reason for the absence; we will contact you to find out where they are and see if there is anything we can do to support you.

If your child becomes unwell in school and needs to be collected, we will telephone you to discuss what is best for your child.

If your child has experienced vomiting or diarrhoea he/she must stay off school for 48 hours after the last episode. There are also strict medical guidelines about returning to school for other types of contagious diseases, e.g. chicken pox - please contact the school office for advice.

Medical & dental appointments

Please make medical/dental appointments out of school hours wherever possible. If your child does need to attend an appointment during school hours, please advise the school office in advance by providing medical evidence.

Medicine in school

We have a policy for administering medicine in school. Please ask the school office for further information.

Holidays during term time

In-line with government guidance holidays cannot be authorised during term time. Absence during term time can only be authorised by the Head Teachers, in very exceptional circumstances. Families taking unauthorised holidays during term time will be referred to Educational Welfare Services (EWS) who will, in most circumstances, issue a penalty notice.

If you need to take your child out of school for any reason during term time an Absence Request form must be completed and handed in to the office no later than 4 weeks before the planned absence.

If there are any issues that may be negatively impacting upon your child’s attendance, then we would be happy to discuss this and provide support as appropriate. If so, please email the school office or speak to your child’s Teacher.