Attendance and Punctuality

We expect all children to have good attendance, classed as 96% or above.

Good attendance is not simply a legal requirement. It is essential if pupils are to take full advantage of the range of opportunities that school offers and gain the skills that will equip them for their next stage of education and for adult life. Any child attending less than 90% is known as a persistent absentee and the school has a duty to contact parents, hold meetings, and inform the Local Authority of these children. We may also carry out unannounced home visits.

All children are entitled to receive the full benefits of education; poor attendance is therefore a safeguarding issue.

Once a child is registered at a school, the parent is legally responsible for making sure they attend regularly.

Parents/carers can help by:

• Helping children understand the importance of attending school regularly and arriving on time.

• Taking an active interest in their child’s education by asking about schoolwork and encouraging participation in school activities.

• Discussing any concerns or difficulties their child may be experiencing at school and informing their teacher or a member of the leadership team of any serious issues.

• Avoiding keeping children off school for minor illnesses, particularly where the symptoms would not prevent an adult from attending work.

• Wherever possible, arranging appointments and family outings outside school hours, at weekends, or during school holidays to minimise disruption to their child’s education and the wider school community.

Click here to view the Cirrus Trust Attendance Policy

Click here to view the Barrow Hedges Start and End of Day Procedures

Absence

If your child is absent due to sickness, or any other reason, please email or telephone the school by 8:30am providing the reason for their absence.

The office email address is:

office@barrowhedges.comThe school telephone number is: 

020 8643 4428

The school does not authorise holidays during term time. In line with current legislation, Headteachers may only grant leave of absence during term time in exceptional circumstances.

Requests for leave due to exceptional circumstances must be made in writing to the Headteacher by letter or email and should be supported by appropriate evidence or documentation. Families should not make travel arrangements or bookings until written authorisation has been received from the school.

Unauthorised term-time leave may result in the issue of a Penalty Notice. The current charge is £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days of the notice being issued, increasing to £160 if paid within 28 days. A second Penalty Notice issued to the same parent for the same child within a three-year period will be charged at a flat rate of £160 if paid within 28 days. Where a third offence occurs within three years of the first Penalty Notice, alternative legal action may be taken, which could include prosecution through the Magistrates' Court.

Wherever possible, routine medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours or during school holidays. If an appointment during the school day is unavoidable, parents and carers should inform the school in advance. Children should attend school for the remainder of the day wherever possible, with absence limited to the time needed for the appointment.

Punctuality

We recognise that punctuality is closely linked to good attendance and that frequent lateness can result in children missing valuable learning opportunities. It can also be unsettling for the child and disruptive to the learning of others. Developing an understanding of the importance of regular and punctual attendance helps to prepare children for the expectations and responsibilities of the workplace in later life.

It is therefore important that children arrive at school on time each day, settled and ready to learn. Registration takes place at 8:40am and children arriving after this time will be recorded as late. Children who arrive after 9:10am will receive an unauthorised absence mark for that session unless there is an acceptable reason for the delay. If your child is due to arrive late because of a medical appointment, please inform school office as soon as possible.

The Local Authority may be notified where there are ongoing concerns regarding persistent lateness or repeated unauthorised absence.