Late/Absence Procedures

Malmesbury encourages all parents and carers to work in partnership with the school in order to improve attendance and punctuality.

Children who are persistently late or absent from school frequently develop large gaps in their learning which will impact on their progress and their ability to meet age related learning expectations.

5 minutes late each day is the equivalent of 3 school days lost each year.

10 minutes late each day is the equivalent of 6.5 school days lost each year.

95% Attendance is the equivalent of 9.5 school days off per year!

95% Attendance from Year 1 through to Year 6 is a quarter of a school year missed!

 

Late/Absence Procedure

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their children arrive at school on time. The gates open at 8:40 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. for KS1 and KS2 pupils and Early Years gates are open from 9:00 a.m. until 9:15 a.m.

 

It is the parent’s responsibility to inform the office on the first day of their child’s absence from school. This needs to be done via telephone as soon as possible. To report an absence parents will need to phone in and speak to a member of the office staff or by leaving a message on our answerphone via Pupil Absences Extension 1.

 

If a child is repeatedly absent due to illness the school will request medical evidence. If requested, parents will need to provide medical evidence when their child returns to school.

 

Parents will also need to ensure that medical appointments are arranged for outside of school hours. If this is not possible parents are expected to provide evidence of the appointment in advance. The child should also be attending school before or after the appointment where possible.