Attendance Matters
On time, every time
What zone are you in?
Here at Derwent Primary we think that it is important that children are in school, on time, every day. We aim for our whole school attendance to be 97% with as many children on 100% attendance as possible; the reason for this is because children who attend school every day are more likely to learn more, have more friends and get a good job when they are older. To give your children the best chances and opportunities, they must be in school. We will work tirelessly to get the children into school but we can only do it with your help and commitment.
It is soon going to be that time of year (if not already) where coughs and colds are on the increase. We understand that when feeling under the weather, staying at home can feel like the best form of recovery but as the NHS says, “not every illness needs to keep your child from school.”
Here are the recommendations from the Public Health Agency for common illness that often, but not always necessary, result in absences from school;
Symptom |
Recommended period to be kept away from nursery/ school |
|
Diarrhoea and/ or vomiting |
48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting |
| Conjunctivitis |
None |
|
Head lice |
None |
| Tonsillitis |
None |
|
Glandular fever |
None |
|
Warts and Verrucae |
None |
|
Chickenpox |
Five days from the onset of rash |
| Hand, Foot and Mouth |
None |
|
Impetigo |
Until lesions are crusted and healed or 48 hours after commencing antibiotic treatment |
| General cough and/ or cold |
None |
|
Minor Headache |
None |
|
Sore throat |
None |
If your child is absent from school:-
Phone the school number, 01332 346222 to speak with Mr McLachlan or leave a message on option 1 with the following information:-
- Name of your child (please spell if necessary)
- Year Group
- The relationship to the child of the person who is reporting the absence
- Nature of illness, we cannot accept, illness, poorly or not feeling well, in order to authorise the absence we need to know exactly what is wrong with your child.
We are also requesting that if your child has a doctor, hospital or dentist appointment during school time, you bring the letter/appointment card into school for us to photocopy and put in your child’s record.
If you do not report your child’s absence, we will phone you to ask where your child is. If we cannot contact you we will attempt to undertake a home visit.
As part of our Safeguarding policy we have to ensure all children who are not in school are safe, please help us to do this!!
A massive thank you to all parents/carers who keep the school informed on a daily basis when their child is absent. This helps us tremendously in the safeguarding of all children who attend Derwent Primary.
At Derwent Primary we are trying very hard to reduce the amount of children who arrive late for school. It has been shown that pupils who used to be late for school and no longer are, have improved their attainment and social achievements. Arriving late is very unsettling for your child, and also for the other children in class who have arrived on time. Please make sure they are here in plenty of time and if your child arrives after 8.55am they will need to be signed in by an adult; through the side door until 9.15am, after 9.15am at reception.
We have introduced a new procedure that MUST be followed if you are planning to take your child out of school for the purpose of a holiday.
A leave of absence form must be completed (this is available from the school office).
You must supply confirmation of your travel details either in hard copy or electronically.
- Leave of absence will be authorised in exceptional circumstances only.
- If you intend to take your child out of school for the purpose of a religious festival a leave of absence form must be completed.
All unauthorised absences will result in a Penalty Notice being issued, this will incur a fine to both parents for each child.
Failure to follow this procedure could lead to a prosecution.
If this procedure is followed we can authorise the absence, please remember that if your child has a significant number of unauthorised absences recorded this could lead to the Education Welfare Service becoming involved. The school will also liaise closely with you to help support you if this is likely. To avoid this from happening we are requesting this evidence to be produced.
We are unable to take responsibility for children on the school premises before 8:30am, unless pre-arranged or attending a school club/activity.
Procedures to be followed by staff when a child is not collected on time
If a child is not collected within fifteen minutes of the end of the school day or the agreed collection time, we will call the contact numbers for the parent or carers. If there is no answer, the Teacher will begin to call the emergency numbers for this child.
During this time, the child will be safely looked after by a member of staff.
If there is no response from the parents’ or carers’ contact numbers, two members of staff will conduct a home visit. After all the above has taken place and no contact made, Police and Social care will be informed. The Headteacher or DSL will make a full written report of the incident.
We undertake to look after the child safely throughout the time that he or she remains under ourcare, until such a time as s/he has been collected by a parent, guardian or carer, or until appropriate, alternative care arrangements have been made with Social Care and/or the Police in order to prioritise the child’s safety.
It is important that we work together in improving our attendance.
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Thank you for your co-operation.
