Attendance and Absence 

What is good attendance?

As you know at Checkendon C.E (A) Primary School we make school attendance a priority so that we can ensure your child is receiving the very best opportunity to achieve their full potential. The school’s expectation is for all children to achieve a good attendance level of 98% and above.

What does the law say?

In September 2022, the DfE published guidance regarding attendance, it states, “The law entitles every child to an efficient, full time education. It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure his or her child receives that education. Where parents decide to have their child registered at a school, they have an additional legal duty to ensure their child attends that school regularly. That means they must attend every day that school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances, such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence in advance by the school.”

When will absence requests be granted?

Permission for absence will be only be granted in ‘exceptional’ circumstances.

Exceptional Circumstances

It is at the discretion of the Headteacher in conjunction with Oxfordshire County Council Attendance Officers to decide which circumstances are ‘exceptional’. Examples of circumstances that are not exceptional may include:

• Cheap holidays/flights or holidays/flights that have already been paid for
• Relatives visiting or visiting relatives
• Days off for birthdays and shopping trips
• Absence that coincides with important school events such as the start of term.

What if I take my child on an unauthorised absence?

If you take your child out of school without authorisation (except where he or she is unwell) and their attendance falls below 96%, the school will report this to our Education Social Worker who may work with BCP Council to take legal action. This could involve:

• A warning letter.
• A fixed penalty notice
• A parenting order, education supervision order or school attendance order where your child repeatedly misses school without a good reason.

Why is attendance important?

Missing two weeks of school for a holiday might not seem like very much, but it can have a big effect on your child’s education. Research shows pupils with the highest attainment at the end of Key Stage Two and Key Stage Four have higher rates of attendance. There are 175 non-school days each year for family time, holidays and appointments.

If you feel leave in term time is unavoidable, please complete an Absence Request Form (available from the school office or on our website) as soon as possible, which will be retained with pupil records.

If you have any concerns or wish to discuss your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school office by email office.3801@checkendon.oxon.sch.uk

Please help your child not to miss any valuable time of their education.