A good education gives a child the best possible start in life. We must ensure that all of our pupils have an equal chance to make good use of the education that the school offers by providing a positive and encouraging atmosphere. Research shows that children who are in school more do better in life and it underpins their learning, well being and wider development. As a parent you are legally responsible for ensuring your child gets a full time education.By accepting responsibility in partnership with the school, we can work together to ensure the children’s right to a full education, as well as enabling parents to fulfill their legal responsibility.
Lateness for anyone can make us feel vulnerable, exposed,can leave us feeling unsettled and missing out on vital start of the day activities. If you arrive after the gate closes at 8:50 you will have to come through the office and be marked as late. Here id the link for school timings of the school day. Link
At Shotley Primary school we expect all children to attend school everyday as long as they are fit and healthy to do so. Further NHS guidance is available by clicking here. For some children attending school full time maybe a little harder, than it is for others. This is why we are committed to working with our families to solve problems and support your child’s punctuality and attendance. Information on how we support and monitor attendance and punctuality is laid out in our school policy. Link. If you would like to discuss any of this further, please contact: Mrs Southgate (attendance lead) or Mrs Hodgetts.
Too ill to attend school ?
The national average for attendance is 95% which equates to 9 days of authorised absences, 3 per term.
If your child is too unwell to attend school, please email admin@shotley.org.uk or leave a message by phone on 01473787255 before 10:00am, stating why your child is unable to attend school. If we do not receive notification of why your child/children is off we will phone you and establish why. If we can not reach you, the absence will be unauthorised. If your child begins to feel better over the course of the day, feel free to pop them back.
If your child has a medical appointment please try to keep these out of school hours. Where it is not possible, please, fill out a leave of absence form, which you can access by clicking here, and allow us as much notice as possible. Please do not keep your child, off for the whole day. Supporting evidence for the appointment may be required.
EWO Involvement
Where there is an emerging pattern of absence you will be called in to discuss the reasons for this and the appropriate support will be put in place if it is needed. if your child’s absence continues to fall below 95%, you may receive warning letters and then be referred to the EWO if attendance does not improve. Unauthorised absences will escalate to a fine.
Term Time holidays
Permission for holidays during term time will not be given and will be classed as unauthorised absences. They will normally entail a fine for each parent per child. See below for the National framework for penalty notices. Link