Parental Information

Attendance

At Glen Hills Primary School, we recognise that punctual and regular attendance is vital if our children are to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them and to achieve their full potential.

Satisfactory attendance means a minimium of 96% attendance (which is actually 8 days off across the school year). So our attendance target is 97%, which is in line with the Government's national expectation of at least 96%.

Children feeling unwell
Children can't help being sick and sometimes they have an illness that will require time off school and a visit to the doctors. However, taking regular one or two days off soon adds up! Sometimes our children have coughs and colds and may not feel their normal self but they are probably well enough for school.

If a child has a minor illness (e.g. a headache, cold or a sore throat etc), we ask that parents/carers bring them into school and inform staff that their child is feeling unwell. School can also administer medications (such as Calpol) if needed.  We just need a parent/carer to complete a medication form from the school office. School will always contact parents/carers if a child's condition worsens or if they become poorly during the school day. Please see the link below for the official guidance from Public Health England regarding illnesses and whether time off school is advised.  

Guidance on infection control in schools

Attendance Figures
Did you know? 90% attendance may seem like an acceptable level of attendance, but the reality is that 90% attendance means that your child will miss 19 days of the school year which is nearly 4 weeks!

97% and above - Less than 6 days absence in a school year. Pupils with this attendance should achieve the best possible outcomes.

96% - 8 days absence in a school year.  "Good attendance". Pupil with this attendance are more likely to achieve their targets.  

92% - 15 days absence in a school year. Pupils with this attendance are missing 3 weeks of school per year; it will be difficult for them to achieve their best. The school may ask for medical proof to authorise absences.

90% - 19 days absence over the school year. Pupils with this attendance are missing approximately a month (19 days) of school per year and may fall behind academically and socially. With this level of attendance, the Department for Education consider children to be a 'Persistent Absentee'. Parents will recieve letters about attendance and be asked for a meeting to discuss attendance if it doesn't improve to discuss how to to support the child.

85% - 29 days of absence in a school year. These pupils are missing approximately 6 weeks of school a year. It will be very difficult for them to keep up and achieve their best and build relationships in school.

80% - 75% - Pupils with this attendance are missing a day for every week of school! It will be almost impossible to keep up with their work.  Parents of pupils with this level of attendance will be made known to the Local Authority Attendance Team and may face legal action if there is no medical or other authorised reason for their absence.

Please note if 10 unauthorised absences are recorded within a 6 week period a penalty notice warning may be issued by the Local Authority Attendance Team which may make you liable to a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £120. This fine is paid to the Local Authority, not the school.

Did you know? There are 175 non school days in a year!

Holidays in Term Time
Holidays will not be authorised in term time, except in exceptional circumstances which need to be proved. If leave of absence is taken during the school term, your child's absence will be marked as unauthorised which may make you liable to a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £120 issued by the Local Authority. This money is paid to the Local Authority, not the school. For more information, see the Glen Hills Attendance Policy.

Promoting Good Attendance
We have the following strategies to promote and celebrate attendance throughout the school:

• Attendance figures are reported to parents at Spring Parents' Evenings and at the end of the year with school reports.
• Whole school attendance figures are reported to half Governors termly. 
• Good attendance is celebrated.
• Reminders and updates are in the monthly newsletter.
• Using data to target attendance improvements.

Punctuality is extremely important at Glen Hills Primary School. We recognise that lateness results in loss of learning and may draw unnecessary attention to a child arriving late in their classroom. This can impact upon progress and your child's emotional wellbeing. Please support your child by helping them to get to school on time every day.

Four Plus
EYFS doors open at 8:40am. Your child must arrive by 8:50am.

Infants
Atrium doors open at 8:40am. Your child must arrive by 8:50am.

Juniors
Junior gates open at 8:35am. Your child must arrive by 8:45am.
Children arriving after 9:00am will be marked as unauthorised.

Did you know? Being just 5 minutes late each day adds up to 3 days of learning loss across a year!

Support with Attendance and/or Punctuality
Should you wish to discuss your child's attendance and punctuality with us, or if you would like support with this, please contact your child's class teacher who will be happy to help! There is further support and guidance in Appendix B of our Attendance Policy.

Please click here for the school's Attendance Policy.