School attendance is central to raising standards in education and ensuring all pupils can fulfil their potential. The government has set a target of 95% attendance for all pupils. This rate allows for periods of illness or particular circumstances when absence from schools is unavoidable. We want your child to attend school regularly as this supports their learning.

Key attendance Facts

• Attending 90% of the time or less will have a serious effect on learning.

• One day’s absence every two weeks will give 90% attendance.

• Up to the age of 16, 90% attendance will mean losing over a year of school – more than half

  

   

Unplanned absence

Parents must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence – for example, if their child is unable to attend due to ill health – by 9am or as soon as practically possible by leaving a message on the school answer phone, text system or send an email to the office, info@hartshorne.derbyshire.sch.uk 

Absence due to illness will be authorised unless the school has a genuine concern about the authenticity of the illness.

If the authenticity of the illness is in doubt, the school may ask parents to provide medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence. We will not ask for medical evidence unnecessarily.

If the school is not satisfied about the authenticity of the illness, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and parents will be notified of this in advance.

On day 4 of absence due to illness, school will contact parent/carer to arrange a safe and wellbeing check for that day at a convenient time. If contact cannot be made it will be assumed the family is on holiday and a penalty notice will be issued.

Lateness and punctuality

A pupil who arrives late but before the register has closed will be marked as late, using the appropriate code. A pupil who arrives after the register has closed will be marked as absent, using the appropriate code.

Pupils must arrive in school by 8.45am on each school day. The register for the first session will be taken at 8.50am, a “Late” mark will be entered from 8.50am, from 9.15am onwards an “Unauthorised” mark will be made.   

Where there are concerns about punctuality, the school will make contact with the parents to meet with the Headteacher.

In the event of persistent lateness, the school will make a referral to Starting Point or offer support via the family support worker.

Granting approval for term-time absence

Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence to pupils during term time unless they consider there to be 'exceptional circumstances'.

The school considers each application for term-time absence individually, taking into account the specific facts, circumstances and relevant context behind the request. A leave of absence is granted entirely at the headteacher’s discretion.

Legal sanctions

Hartshorne School or the Local Authority can fine parents for the unauthorised absence of their child from the school, where the child is of compulsory school age.

If issued with a fine, or penalty notice, each parent must pay:

 

First Offence - The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days. Reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.

Second Offence (within 3 years) -The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days.

Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years) - The third time an offence is committed for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates’ Court.

Attendance Policy