Attendance
Aim for 100%
We expect the children to attend school regularly – every day if possible. Where we have attendance concerns, parents will be contacted and support offered. Where persistent concerns remain, we may also seek support from our Educational Welfare Officer.
Research suggests that children who are absent from school may never catch up on the learning they have missed, which may ultimately affect exam and test results. Please make sure your child is not absent for anything other than an exceptional and unavoidable reason.
Expected attendance is 96%+
Punctuality
School gates opens at 8.30am and closes promptly at 8.45am so lessons can begin. The school day ends at 3.15pm. Pupils arriving after this time will be expected to enter school via the school office. Pupils arriving after 9.00am will be marked as late on the register.
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR CHILD BY BEING ON TIME AT THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY.
Every minute counts
Lateness = Lost Learning
Did you know…
Name | Role | |
---|---|---|
Janet Robinson | Catering | |
Ian Robinson | Caretaker |
- A settled start…calm and ready to learn
- Improved life chances
- Building lasting relationships
- Reaching their fullest potential
- Instilling great life skills
Every school day counts
Absence = Lost Learning
Name | Role | |
---|---|---|
Dawn Parkinson | Admin | |
Jane Hewitson | Admin |
Two weeks holiday during term time is over 50 lessons missed.
Missing school is missing out
Your child’s education is very important. Regular school attendance helps pupils fulfil their potential and gives them a better chance for the future.
Every day absence from school is an opportunity missed.
Who can help if you are having difficulties getting your child to school on time every day?
Mrs Ridley – Deputy teacher, Whittonstall School on 01207 560325.
Leave of absence during term time
Leave of Absence can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances, which does NOT include family holidays (although some flexibility will be considered for the particular circumstances of HM Forces families). Difficulties associated with parents’ or carers’ employment cannot be taken into account.
We will consider issues related to terminal illness/bereavement, and very occasional, irregular, short absences (one, or very exceptionally two days) to help accommodate special family occasions. In any event, Regulations do not allow absences to be approved after the event.
Regulations place this entirely at the discretion of the Headteacher. If the Headteacher limits, or does not authorise Leave of Absence, but the child is still taken out of school or kept away for longer than was first agreed, the absence is unauthorised.
Schools are held accountable for the levels of attendance achieved by their pupils: we have no choice but to follow the rules.
A Leave of Absence form can be obtained by clicking here
Administration of Medication to Pupils – Agreement between Parents and School
When Your Child is Unwell
It can be hard deciding whether to keep a poorly child off school. A few simple guidelines can help. Not every illness needs to keep your child from school. If you keep your child away from school, be sure to inform the school on the first day of their absence. When deciding whether or not your child is too ill to attend school. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your child well enough to do the activities of the school day? If not, keep your child at home.
- Does your child have a condition that could be passed on to other children or school staff? If so, keep your child at home.
- Would you take a day off work if you had this condition? If so, keep your child at home.
Common Conditions
- Cough and cold: A child with a minor cough or cold may attend school. If the cold is accompanied by a raised temperature, shivers or drowsiness, the child should stay off school, visit the GP and return to school 24 hours after they start to feel better. If your child has a more severe and long lasting cough, consult your GP. They can give guidance on whether the child should stay off school.
- Raised temperature: If your child has a raised temperature, they shouldn’t attend school. They can return 24 hours after they start to feel better.
- Rash: Rashes can be the first sign of many infectious illnesses, such as chickenpox and measles. Children with these conditions shouldn’t attend school. If your child has a rash, check with your GP or practice nurse before sending them to school.
- Headache: A child with a minor headache doesn’t usually need to be kept off school. If the headache is more severe or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as raised temperature or drowsiness, then keep the child off school and consult your GP.
- Vomiting and diarrhoea: Children with these conditions should be kept off school. They can return 48 hours after their symptoms disappear. Most cases of vomiting or diarrhoea get better without treatment, but if symptoms persist or your child is young, consult your GP.
- Sore throat: A sore throat alone doesn’t have to keep a child from school. If it’s accompanied by a raised temperature, the child should stay at home.
If your child has an accident in school they will be treated by one of our Paediatric First Aid trained members of staff. Parents will be notified if it is felt the child needs further treatment or has had a bump to the head.