Attendance
Introduction
Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children receive full time education.
Regular attendance is essential if children are to progress with their learning. The school day is divided into two registration sessions so, for example, one day of absence will be recorded as two sessions.
Notification of Absence
If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, we expect parents/carers to inform us by 9.30am by phone or in person.
If we have no reason for the absence by 9.30am the absence will be recorded as unauthorised unless we receive a reasonable explanation. We would also expect to be notified if your child has a medical appointment by 9.30am. Other planned absences should be notified to the school via an 'Application for Leave of Absence' Form.
Punctuality
School starts at 9.00 am for all classes.
We believe that punctuality is an important social courtesy and regularly arriving late to school not only disrupts your child's opportunities for learning but those of the children in his/her class. Children arriving late must access the school via the school office where they are registered and the reason for his/her late arrival is recorded. Where the child arrives after registration has closed (9am - when the school gates are closed) a late mark will be entered. Late arrivals are monitored by the school and meetings will take place with parents where there is concern.
Leave of Absence
Children of school age who are registered at Pitsford, must by law attend school regularly.
The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 amended the previous Education Regulations (England) 2006 removing the Headteacher's discretion to agree term time holiday. As a result, all holidays taken in term time will be unauthorised unless the absence is for 'exceptional circumstances'. In addition, where the absence exceeds three consecutive days, each parent will be liable for a Penalty Notice resulting in a fine for truancy.
Parents are expected to provide explanations for their child/ren's absence. Please complete an Application for Leave of Absence Form to explain why your child will not be in school. If authorisation for this leave is not granted but the child is absent, or no authorisation is sought, or the period of leave is at a similar time of year to an unauthorised absence in a previous year, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. As a result, a referral will be made to the Education Welfare Officer who may issue each parent with a Penalty Notice (fine) ranging from £60 to £120 for each parent for each child and could ultimately lead to prosecution resulting in a fine of £2,500 and a 3 month custodial sentence.
For more information on Penalty Notices please see the Northamptonshire County Council's website
Exceptional Circumstances
The Headteacher has the discretion to grant leave of absence in exceptional circumstances.
If you wish for the Headteacher to consider your wish for leave of absence as an 'exceptional circumstance', please complete the Application for Leave of Absence form and attach any supporting papers. The Headteacher will make a decision and return the form with his/her decision. If leave is granted, the Headteacher will specify how many days leave is being authorised. If leave is not granted then the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and a penalty notice resulting in a fine for each parent may result.
Further Information
Please click HERE to access the school's Attendance Policy and HERE for an Application for Leave of Absence Form.
