Attendance and Holidaying in Term Time

The Governing Body and Headteacher of Brockley Primary School are committed to improving outcomes for all children. Attendance at school and being on time everyday has a huge impact on a child’s learning and helps to ensure personal success.

The government's expectation is that for a school to be judged 'Good' by Ofsted then the attendance rate must be at least 96% and today (16.06.23) Brockley's is 93% with a persistent absence rate of 21% against the national average of 17.4%. This clearly isn't good enough and whilst I am sympathetic to each individual request or issue regarding absence I must reinforce our policy.

Whilst the Governing Body and Headteacher will do everything they can to support families struggling with attendance and lateness it must also be understood that as part of the monitoring procedures parents and carers may receive a sternly worded letter informing them of their child’s late and/or absent rate. This letter is a statutory requirement.

The letter will invite you to attend a meeting with the Headteacher to discuss any problems you may be experiencing and share ideas  in which we can work together to achieve an acceptable level of attendance.

Staff are here to help you and may suggest:

•  Joining Breakfast Club (Available daily 8am until 8:40am) 

• Providing contact details of an external local provider to help with work commitments

• Providing contact details of a local child minder to help with work commitments

• Referral to School Health where on going illness is a recurring issue

• To discuss possible external agencies and the help they can offer

• Support with transport (If eligible)

Please speak to the Headteacher in the strictest confidence.

 

Absence During Term-Time

I would like to clarify the school’s position regarding holiday or leave of absence during term time.

Authorising absence is a policy decision. I have to work within the policy adopted by the Local authority and school. All school absence is a serious matter monitored by the LA, Education Welfare department and Ofsted and all school procedures are checked regularly.

Holidays are NOT permitted in term time. Requesting holidays because it is cheaper to go in term time is not a valid reason, neither are celebrations abroad considered a necessity.

Taking holidays in term time mean children quickly fall behind with their work and may require extra support to catch up.

Parents taking holidays without discussing it first or informing the school in advance will result in fixed penalty fines being issues. This is £60 per child and parent rising to £120 per child and parent if not paid within 28 days. If we are not informed where a child is in school time the child is classed as missing and the relevant authorities.

Parents may request leave of absence for exceptional circumstances. A form needs to be filled out and submitted to the Headteacher with as much notice as possible. This is available from the school website. www.brockley.derbyshire.sch.uk

Permission for exceptional leave of absence will be submitted to the governors of Brockley and they will assess if the child:

• Has attendance of 96% or above at that time.

• Is not likely to fall behind with their work.

• Has not requested any other leave of absence that year.

• There is an acceptable exceptional reason for this request.

• Does not have any statutory tests at that time.

I hope this explains how the school will deal with requests for leave and any holidays taken in term time.

 

School attendance and absence: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)