Attendance
At Rowanfield Infant School, we expect pupils to attend every day that the school is open unless a reason acceptable to the school is given and we are able to authorise the absence.
The school day
- Breakfast Club starts at 8.15am or 8.30am daily
- Gates open at 8.30am
- School starts at 8.45am daily
- Gates close at 8.55am
- School ends at 3pm (RIS) and 3.05pm (RJS)
The school day consists of two sessions. A register will be taken in the morning and the afternoon.
What is ‘good’ attendance and why is it important?
- Being in school every day gives your child the best chance possible to achieve their potential.
- It is the local and national expectation that children attend school 100% of the time. However, it is important to note that we understand exceptional circumstances and illness happens. Your child’s health and wellbeing are important to us. Please check the NHS website for guidance on illness in school or please call our office to discuss further. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/?scrlybrkr=2c604f67
What do the Department for Education say about attendance?
Attendance at school isn’t just important, it is a legal obligation for children over the age of five.
As the DfE notes, 'Improving attendance is everyone’s business’, and it is important that we, as your child’s school, work together in partnership with you, your family, your child, and the wider community to improve attendance.
The new 'Working Together to Improve School Attendance' Guidance emphasises a ‘Support First’ ethos, and recognises that ‘the barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates, and are often specific to individual pupils and families... [It] is essential for pupils to get the most out of their school experience, including their attainment, wellbeing, and wider life chances.’
Please read the important letter Miss Tyler sent out about attendance below for all of the latest information.
UPDATE 2024 - IMPORTANT LETTER REGARDING ATTENDANCE
To view our Attendance Policy please click here
Authorised attendance
- You have informed the school that your child will not be in and the reason you have provided is acceptable. For example, a sickness bug.
Unauthorised attendance
- Your child does not attend school and you have not informed us of the reason why, or the reason provided is not acceptable. For example, you kept your child at home for their birthday.
Lateness
- The register closes at 9am.
- After 9am, your child will be registered as ‘late’ and the minutes of lateness will be recorded.
- If your child arrives later than 9.20am, without a legitimate reason, this will be coded with a U code (later after register closes) which is unauthorised.
What should I do if I am struggling to get my child to school?
Get in touch! We are a support first school and there are many things we can do to help you get your child into school.
However, if you do not engage with the support the school has put in place and your child continues to have unauthorised absences you are at risk of a penalty notice.
