At our school, we believe that excellent attendance is fundamental to every child's success, wellbeing and sense of belonging. Regular attendance helps children to build positive relationships, develop confidence, establish good learning habits and make the most of the opportunities available to them each day. 

We know that parents and carers play a vital role in supporting good attendance, and we are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure every child attends school regularly and arrives on time. By working together, we can help children achieve their full potential, develop a love of learning and enjoy all aspects of school life. 

We understand that there may be occasions when attendance can be affected by illness or other circumstances, and we are here to offer support wherever possible. Together, we can ensure that every child has the best possible chance to thrive, succeed and flourish within our school community. 

We ask all parents to consider the NHS guidance provided on this page when determining whether their child is too unwell to attend school.

Please ensure you let the school office know via Arbor if your child will be absent from school due to illness. You must report your child’s absence each morning before 8.30am.

To report an absence on Arbor:

1. Log onto the Parent Portal in Arbor
2. Select Attendance under Quick Actions
3. If you are using a mobile device press the “three lines at the bottom left of the screen
4. Select Log Absence
5. Complete the absence time (only for that day) and the reason for absence
6. Press Log Absence

More detailed guidance can be found here: Report a daily absence

Absence due to reasons other than Illness

100% attendance at school is one of the best ways of ensuring your child’s future success, so we ask you to arrange medical/dental appointments outside the school day when possible. If your child is required to miss school for a short period for an important medical appointment, then please complete the Application for Medical/Dental absence form and return to the the school office at least 48 hours prior to the appointment.

There may be exceptional circumstances where you can ask to take your child out of school. Mrs O'Donovan will consider each application and assess if the absence can be authorised.

Please note that holidays are not normally considered exceptional, but a request should still be submitted.

If you plan to take your child out of school, you must give as much notice as possible so that a meeting with the headteacher can be arranged. Please complete the Application for Leave of Absence Form.

Penalty Notices 

A Penalty Notice may be issued as an alternative to the prosecution of a parent/carer for their child’s unauthorised absence from school (absence without the agreement of the school or not covered by a medical note) and will be used by Surrey County Council in the following circumstances: 

1.  Leave of absence in term time (5 days or 10 sessions or more). 

· Please be aware that The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024, which became law on 1st September 2013, states that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. 

· The Headteacher is also required to determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted. 

· In such cases, the Headteacher/Governing Body must decide whether there are exceptional circumstances. They may request that Surrey County Council issue Penalty Notices when the absence is not authorised. 

Warnings will not be given where it can be shown that parents have been notified that such absences will not be authorised. 

2. Pupils identified by police and Attendance Advice Officers (formerly Education Welfare Officers) engaged on Truancy Patrols and who have incurred unauthorised absences. 

3.  Finally, the issuing of a Penalty Notice will also be considered where it is judged that a parent is failing to ensure their child's regular school attendance. This will be considered when a pupil has incurred 10 or more unauthorised sessions in the previous 10 school weeks, which may include a pupil arriving late after close of registration. 

Unauthorised absence of 5 days or more will result in the following action being taken:  

1. If you have not incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August  2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.  

2. If you have incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.  

3. If you have incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then you will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996. 

Attendance Policy