At primary level, the pace of development in children is so fast that just a handful of days missed can cause disruption to a child’s learning journey. We will always help your child to catch up on missed work where possible but continued absence may affect your child’s ability to exceed their potential.
Regular attendance at school promotes pupils’ well-being and gives them the best chance of learning and reaching their potential. Pupils should attend school every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.
Why is Good attendance important?
Good attendance is important because pupils:
get on better with learning and other children;
cope better with school routines, work and friendships;
find learning easier because they do not miss out;
are more successful moving between primary school, secondary school, higher education and employment or training;
are known to be safe and well by us.
Research shows a direct link between high attendance and doing well at school.
All children have the right to an education. We encourage and expect 100% attendance for all pupils. We check that pupils join video lessons and/or complete tasks during any remote learning.
Attendance Matters!
What happens if my child needs to be absent from school?
We do understand that all children get sick from time to time but do ask that you think carefully before keeping your child from school. If your child is needing to be absent from school, in the event of sickness for example, we would expect you to report absence 8.50am.
Absence should be reported by either;
Calling 01296 421733 and selecting option 1.
Emailing: attendance@williamharding.school
Please note that you will need to telephone to school on each day of absence – even if the absence is continuous.
If we do not receive an explanation, or if the explanation is unsatisfactory, we will not authorise the absence and a home visit may be completed by a member of the FLO team.
Request for Pupil’s Absence during Term Time
William Harding School expects all children to attend school regularly and, as such, will not authorise any extended leave or holidays during term time unless in exceptional circumstances. We expect parents to share the same commitment to learning and to plan holidays and leave during the school holidays. If, in the extreme case, parents wish to request leave in light of exceptional circumstances, they must write to the Headteacher giving at least ten school days of notice. The Headteacher will consider each application and a nominated officer within the school will respond to parents with the outcome of the application.
As a school operating under Buckinghamshire County Council, we are obliged to follow their policy with the escalation of unauthorised absence. As a parent, you are entitled to make representation to the Headteacher using our ‘exceptional circumstances form’ detailing the exceptional circumstances in which your request is based upon. If the reasons for absence detailed in the request are not deemed to be exceptional, the school may refer the absence to the Local Authority and an initial Penalty Notice of £120 per parent/adult for each child, reducing to £60 for early payment could be the outcome. This would require payment being made directly to the Local Authority within 21 days.
Non-payment will mean that the Penalty notice will rise to £120 after 21 days but within 28 days of receipt. If the penalty has not been paid within 28 days of issue the Local Authority may instigate legal proceedings under section 444 (1) of the education act 1996. If found guilty of an offence under this Act, parents will receive a criminal record and could be fined up to £1000. The school does not benefit financially from this action.
If your child is going to be absent from school for any other reason than illness an Exceptional Circumstances Form must be completed to ensure your pupils attendance is coded correctly.