Attendance

For children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend school regularly, so all children should be at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. Regular attendance leads to children making good progress and having high outcomes. 

Attendance is tracked and monitored very carefully and meetings are held regularly to review attendance percentages.  The school works closely with our designated Educational Welfare Officer.

Children are required to maintain an attendance of 97% and above.

Ensuring a child's regular attendance at school is a parent's legal responsibility and permitting absence form school without a good reason creates an offence in law and may result in prosecution.  However, there will be times when absences is unavoidable and acceptable. 

Illness and Medical Appointments

Parents/carers must contact the school if their child is not able to attend.  We have a system in place in which we will contact you by text message if your child is not in school.

You can contact the school by phone on 01278 558758 and leave a message on the pupil absence line at any time or email the school office on info@willowdownprimaryschool.org.uk

If your child has a medical appointment, we ask that you provide the school office with an official letter or proof of the appointment, this will be kept on your child’s records.  We would always encourage and prefer appointments to be made out of school time.

Term time leave

Term time leave must be requested in writing to the school in advance of the leave via a term time leave request form. Only requests with exceptional circumstances will be considered. Those parents who take their children out of school without prior consent put themselves at risk of receiving a penalty notice.

Why Regular Attendance is so Important

Unbroken attendance at school is important for learning. Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning. The table below indicates how what might seem like just a few days absence can result in children missing a significant number of lessons.