Attendance

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY

At Harris Primary Academy Shortlands, we have high expectations of attendance from all pupils. We strive for every child to be in school every day. Regular attendance is essential to ensure children reach their potential both academically and socially.

Please make sure that your child is at school on time and here every day, unless they are too unwell to attend.

The school gates are open for the children to arrive from 8:30 am and close at 8:40am. Pupils start their learning from 8:45am. 

If your child is absent from school please let the school office know by emailing us at absences@harrisprimaryshortlands.org.uk 

The school day finishes at 3:25 pm for Early years and Key Stage 1, and 3:30 pm for Key Stage 2.

For safety reasons please remember to let the school office know by 2:30 pm if a different adult is collecting your child.

Children’s attendance will be celebrated in a variety of ways.

Termly Attendance

There will be certificates and prizes for children who achieve 100% attendance for each half-term. 

AUTHORISED AND UNAUTHORISED ATTENDANCE

• It is the parent/carer’s responsibility to inform the school by calling or emailing as soon as possible on the first day of a child’s illness. If an explanation is not received, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and will remain on a pupil’s attendance record permanently. This continues throughout their time in primary, secondary and further education.
• All absences due to illness, over two days in length may be required to be supported by medical evidence e.g. an appointment card/letter, copy of a prescription etc. (This can be shown/copied at the school office.)
•  For planned medical absences to be authorised, a copy of the planned appointment letter must be given to school in advance for the appointment.
• The DfE attendance advice published in November 2013 states:

“Headteachers should only authorise absence in exceptional circumstances. If a Headteacher grants a leave request, it will be for the Headteacher to determine the length of time that the child can be away from the school. “

To this end, there will be no authorised leave given to children for holidays or travel during term time. Such leave will be marked as unauthorised and the matter will be referred to the EWO who has the authority to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice.

• Absences are held on children’s records, reported at the end of the year to parents and the accumulated totals collated by the DfE.
• When a child is absent due to vomiting and/or diarrhoea, please ensure that he/she is symptom free for at least 48 hours before returning to school.

 

PUNCTUALITY

Official Times

Children need to be in school before the doors close in order to receive a present mark in the register. If children arrive after the doors close, they must go to the office and sign in the late book and will receive a late mark. If children arrive after 9:30 they will receive an unauthorised attendance mark. Persistent lateness is disruptive to the class, can be distressing for the child and can affect learning as much as absence. The Education Welfare Officer may also identify and investigate persistent lateness.

For children who fail to achieve expected levels of attendance, parents will be informed either by phone or in person, with a view to providing support and advice to improve their attendance.