What the law says...

As a parent, ensuring your child’s regular attendance at school is your legal responsibility and permitting absence from school without good reason is an offence and may result in referral to the Education Welfare Service, the issue of penalty notices and fines and eventually prosecution.

What the Government says...

Government guidelines state that attendance figures of 90% or less is classed as ‘persistent absence’.

The government expects that in order to reach a child’s full potential, they must attend school for a minimum of 95% of the year.

At The Holt Primary School we will inform you each term if your child’s attendance rate falls below 95%. We will also inform you if this is being monitored to prevent further action being taken. This may involve working with our own attendance officer or Lincolnshire County Council’s Education Welfare Service.

Did you know?

If your child attends school between 95% and 100% they have the potential to achieve their best, educationally and socially.

10 days off per year = 94.7%

Whilst 90% attendance might sound good……

90% = 1/2 day off each week per year

90% = 1 month off school per year

90% = 1 whole school year off in career

‘Unauthorised absence’...

Significant unauthorised absence can result in a fixed penalty notice  being issued.

Leave of Absence…..

The Department for Education has made changes regarding leave of absence during term time. From 1st September 2013, leave of absence is not permitted during term time unless there are ‘exceptional          circumstances’.

Taking a leave of absence without prior discussion or consent will result in an unauthorised absence.

Family holidays will very rarely be considered as ‘exceptional circumstances’

Illness Guidance….

Being ill may prevent your child from coming to school, but, if they can get out of bed, play or enjoy TV, they should be in school. Coughs and sneezes are not an excuse to miss school nor is feeling tired.

Looking after your child is very important to us and we will of course contact you if we feel they should be at home.

If your child’s attendance falls below 90% due to illness, we may ask that you provide a doctor’s certificate to verify absences. If this is not provided, they will be classed as unauthorised.

Reporting absence…..

At The Holt, we expect children to attend school every day, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so.

If your child is not well enough to attend school, we expect a parent to contact the school office as soon as possible giving a specific reason for the absence.

Because we have a duty of care for safeguarding your child, we will contact you if we do not receive a call on a daily basis to ensure we know your child is safe.

Telephone 01522 683236

Give your child's full name and reason for absence

Ring each day of the absence