Attendance
Letters to parents
Woodland Primary School expects all children to have 100% attendance and punctuality.
Regular attendance at school dramatically improves the life chances of children and young people and plays a vital role in raising educational attainment and tackling under achievement.
At Woodland Primary we aim:
Parents
It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children attend school regularly and to let the school know immediately if their child cannot attend school and the reason for such absence. Please telephone the school office on 01482 787000 as soon as possible after 8am to report your child’s absence. It is also the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children arrive at school on time.
On entry to Woodland Primary School the parents, child and Headteacher enter into a Home School Agreement. A key element of this contract is the partnership between the home and the school, and the importance of securing regular attendance and good punctuality.
Absence
Only the school can authorise absences. Both authorised and unauthorised absences count towards your child’s total absence percentage.
An ‘unauthorised absence’ is when your child is absent from school without good reason. Woodland Primary School will not normally authorise absence for the following reasons: shopping during school hours; holidays during term time; day trips; birthdays; looking after brothers and sisters; illness of brothers and sisters.
Lateness
It is very important that children get into the habit of arriving at school on time every day as this sets the pattern for the rest of their school life.
If your child arrives late before the close of the register they will receive a late mark – ‘L’. If they arrive more than 30 minutes late for a session, after the close of register, they will receive a ‘U’ mark which counts as an unauthorised absence.
Regular lateness not only seriously disrupts the learning of the child arriving late but also interrupts the learning of the class they are arriving late to.
Leave of Absence for Holidays in Term Time
The Governors of Woodland Primary School have endorsed the Local Authority’s advice on attendance and will not approve leave of absence for holidays in term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Unapproved absence for this reason will be classed as unauthorised.
Each case is dealt with individually and if parents feel their reasons are exceptional circumstances, they will be asked to explain their reasons in full and provide supporting evidence to support their case.
Routine Appointments
Medical and dental appointments should, whenever possible, be arranged for after school or during school holidays.
If this is unavoidable please inform the school as early as possible and bring in the letter/appointment card.
Children must attend school before and after the appointment time.
Working with Partner Agencies
Poor attendance and punctuality arises due to a variety of issues. We work closely with a broad range of partner agencies to resolve issues and secure good attendance and punctuality, as necessitated by each individual circumstance.
In our drive to promote good attendance and punctuality we work closely with the Local Authority.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my child is absent?
Contact the school as soon as possible to tell them why your child is absent, and when you expect them to return.
What will happen if I do not inform school of my child’s absence?
You can expect to be telephoned/text by the school staff to ask why your child is absent or be visited by the school Attendance Officer.
What will happen if my child’s attendance or punctuality is identified as a concern?
If we are concerned about your child’s attendance or punctuality we will, in the first instance, contact you to explain our concerns, offer support if needed and request that your child’s attendance and/or punctuality improve.
If your child’s attendance does not then improve you may expect:
Positive Environment: The school’s environment fosters respect and support among pupils and staff. Pupils are encouraged to develop good manners and social skills, contributing to a positive school culture.
Support for SEND: Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are quickly identified and well-supported, achieving good outcomes as a result.
Quality of Education: Pupils receive strong support in learning to read quickly and achieving well. The curriculum is well-planned and effective, particularly in the early years and mathematics. Teachers and teaching assistants are well-trained and provide clear explanations and encouragement.
Overall Effectiveness: The school was rated ‘Good’ in all categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.
Safeguarding: The school has effective safeguarding measures in place. Staff are well-informed and confident in identifying and addressing potential risks to pupils. Pupils are knowledgeable about staying safe, particularly online.
Leadership and Ambition: School leaders are noted for their ambition and effective work in improving the school. Their efforts have resulted in a good quality of education for the pupils.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Pupils exhibit respectful relationships with adults and move around the school sensibly. They are confident in seeking help from staff if needed, and bullying is rare. Pupils listen attentively to teachers and engage in class discussions.
Personal Development: Pupils are encouraged to be independent from an early age and take care in presenting their work. They enjoy participating in various clubs and activities, including sporting competitions and educational visits.