Attendance

Attendance

 

At Thirsk Community Primary School, there is a continual focus on the importance of attendance and punctuality to ensure that each pupil has access to the full curriculum. However, it is acknowledged that there may be situations when it may not be possible for a pupil to attend school, such as when a pupil is ill and they are recommended to stay off school by their doctor.   On such occasions we ask you to notify the school by 9.00 a.m. by dialling the main school number (01845 524349) and selecting option 1, leaving a message if necessary. We are very grateful that most of our parents are keen to work with us.

 

If you need to make a medical or dental appointment for your child please make it from 2.30pm onwards if at all possible. Children who have medical or dental appointments within school time must be collected from school by a responsible adult.  If you are not collecting your child personally please let us know who will be.  All children will be ‘signed out’ when leaving the premises during the school day.

 

Sickness

The policy in school is that children affected by diarrhoea and vomiting should stay off school until at least 48 hours after they last had diarrhoea or vomiting.

If there is a substantial increase in such winter illnesses, we will contact parents directly via parent mail on the additional steps needed to control the spread of illness.

 

Holidays during school term time

  •          From 1st September 2013 Head Teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
  •          Evidence of exceptional circumstances will be required by the Head Teacher who will make a decision based on individual cases.
  •          No absence will be authorised for children in Y6 for the Spring or Summer Term up to KS2 SATs or for any child during the first two weeks of the school year or for any child who falls into our attendance 'Cause for Concern' area. (see table below)
  •          2 week's leave of absence in term time reduces your child's attendance to 95% over a year.
  •          It equates to your child missing half a day per fortnight of their education.
  •          Pupils are only in school for 190 days each year.
  •          There are 175 other days for holidays and other activities.
  •          It is the parent/carer who has the duty to secure the regular attendance of their child at school. Failure to do so is an offence under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996.
  •          Please value every day of your child's education.
  •          Please note below our current attendance definitions. These may vary yearly in line with guidance from the DFE and/or Ofsted.

 

Percentage

Definition

99%-100%

Excellent

96%-98%

Good

95.7%-95.9%

Above National Average

95.6%

Satisfactory

92%-95.5%

Low (Below National Average)

86.1%-91.9%

Cause for Concern

86% and Below

Serious Cause for Concern