Classopoly
Classopoly is our school attendance reward system. Every Friday, in celebration assembly, each class with an overall attendance above 95% will receive a roll of the dice. They will move their class counter around the Classopoly board and whichever space it lands on, wins a treat for the whole class to enjoy. If a class achieves 100% in a week, they will receive an extra roll of the dice!
Why school attendance matters
Missing a few days of school here and there may not seem a big deal, but research shows that it has a significant impact on children’s learning. Children who miss a substantial amount of school fall behind their peers, and struggle to catch up.
- Every child has a right to education and to have the best possible life chances. By attending school daily and on time they learn the importance of commitment and being punctual, a life skill that will serve them well as they grow into the next generation of working citizens.
- It is hard to catch up enough on the work that is missed due to absence, therefore it will be hard for children to achieve their best results if there are gaps in their learning.
- Not being at school regularly also has a negative effect on the social aspects of school. It is hard for children to build and maintain good friendships if they are not in school regularly.
Punctuality
If your child arrives after 8.50am they must enter via the school office to be registered. They will receive a late mark.
It is important to ensure children are at school on time for several reasons including:
- It is difficult for children to walk into class after everyone else has started their school day
- It is hard to catch up with the learning that has been missed
Punctuality is an important skill for their future
Illness
We encourage parents and carers to send their children to school whenever possible, however if they have sickness or diarrhoea, please keep them at home for 48 hours of being symptom free. If a child is off for a week, we would expect them to have seen a doctor and will ask for evidence of an appointment or medicine prescription. Medications can be administered in school to enable children to attend, please come to the school office to arrange this.
If your child is unwell, you must call the school office by 9.30am to notify us of their absence. You must call to report each day of their absence.
If we do not have regular contact from parents of an absent child, this will become a safeguarding issue. We would then carry out a home visit for a welfare check.
Appointments
You are encouraged to make children’s medical appointments outside of school hours, if possible. If this is not possible, we ask that parents provide the school with evidence of appointments (before the day) in order that we can discuss with you and authorise the absence.
Holidays
According to the law, parents do not have an automatic right to take their child out of school during term time as it is considered that any absence from school will disrupt your child’s learning. Headteachers cannot grant leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances, which will be considered at the point of application. Any leave that is taken without the Headteacher’s permission may result in the Local Education Authority issuing a penalty notice of up to £120 per parent, per child. If you wish to apply for a leave of absence for your child, please complete a Leave of Absence Request Form and return to the school office at least 7 days before the first day of absence.
