"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Attendance
Attendance at Thatcham Park
Being at School
School education lays the vital foundations of a child’s life. Research clearly demonstrates the link between regular attendance and educational progress and attainment. Parents/carers and the school staff should work in partnership in making education a success and in ensuring that all children have full and equal access to all that the school has to offer. As a school, we will encourage parents and carers to ensure that their child achieves maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent this are identified and acted on promptly. As parents, it is their responsibility to ensure that their children arrive at school and return home safely.
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Expectations
We expect that all pupils will:
- attend school every day
- attend school punctually
- attend appropriately prepared for the day
- discuss promptly with their class teacher or school office any problems that may affect their school attendance.
We expect that all parents/carers will:
- ensure regular school attendance and be aware of their legal responsibilities.
- ensure that their child arrives at school punctually and prepared for the school day.
- ensure that they contact the school daily of absence or if known in advance, whenever their child is unable to attend school.
Examples
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Authorised absences: |
Unauthorised absences: |
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* genuine illness of the pupil; * hospital/dental/doctor’s appointment for the pupil; * major religious observances * visits to prospective new schools * external exams or educational assessments.
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* shopping /day trip / visit to a theme park; * a birthday treat; * oversleeping due to a late night; * looking after other children / other family member; * appointments for other family members. |
- contact school promptly whenever any problem occurs that may keep their child away from school.
- notify the school of any home circumstances that might affect the behaviour and learning of their child.
- notify school immediately of any changes to contact details.
As a school we have a target of 96% or better for attendance. When a pupil’s attendance falls below 90%, school will write to parents sharing concerns and the impact of absence on their child’s learning and wellbeing, as this is deemed as absence falling to 'persistent'.
When a pupil’s attendance is considered to be persistent, absences will only be authorised upon proof of medical evidence e.g .a prescription or Dr appointment card. Unauthorised absences relating to persistent absences will then be referred to the Educational Welfare Officer.
Term Time Absence Requests
Please contact the school office to make an appointment to request term time absence requests. Please be aware that holiday requests will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.
Every School Day Counts … Days off add up to lost learning and missed education
We are all aware of the importance of accessing education in these formative years so you may find the following analysis informative.
If a child misses half a term a year, (i.e. attendance consistently falls below 85%) this will total more than a year of missed education by the time they leave their primary school, extending to more than two years missed education by the time they leave secondary school.
Please don’t let your child miss out on the education they deserve.
Every day counts.