At Westfield Primary School, we expect children to attend school every day, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so.
Learning and making and maintaining friendships is fun at Westfield and that’s why we want children in school every day. Research proves that children with good attendance have increased chances of success in later life.
- Each child becomes of ‘statutory school age’ in the term after they turn 5.
- It is your responsibility to take them to school
- Schools, by law, are not allowed to authorise term time absences, unless it is an ‘exceptional circumstance’. Holidays are rarely deemed to be an exceptional circumstance and may incur an expensive fixed penalty notice from the local authority
- We monitor attendance on a weekly basis and if your child’s attendance is deemed concerning, below 90%, we will ask you to meet with us to discuss how it can improve and may have to engage with the local Attendance Officer from Hertfordshire County Council
Illness
We understand that children do become ill from time to time and you may feel that they are not well enough to attend school.
- If your child is not well enough to attend school, we expect a parent/carer to contact the school office by 9.30 giving a specific reason for the absence.
- We have a duty of care for safeguarding your child, we will contact you if we do not receive a call on a daily basis to ensure we know your child is safe. If we are unable to make contact with you we are required to inform the relevant authorities. Therefore it is really important that you maintain communication with us.
- If your child has vomited or has diarrhoea they must remain at home for 48 hours from the last incident of illness.
We want to help, if there are valid reasons for absence please let us know and we will work with you to find a solution.
Lateness
Every school day counts but every minute is equally important!
At Westfield Primary school learning starts from the minute your child enters the door.
Our doors open at 8.35 and registers close at 8.55. If your child arrives after this time they will be marked late in the register and you must bring them into school via the main entrance where you will be asked for a reason for your child’s lateness.
We know that mornings can be hectic and we therefore suggest that you aim to get to the school playground for 8.35.
Being 15 minutes late each day is the same as missing two weeks of school each year!
Getting your child to school on time:
- Is a positive start to the day
- Helps your child to feel less stressed
- Helps your child get the very most from their education
- Establishes routine and ensures that your child knows what is happening during the day
- Helps your child to maintain friendships
- Leads to achievement and success
Of course if there is an emergency and lateness cannot be avoided please call the school office and we can let their teacher know and make sure that a school lunch has been ordered for your child.
If you are finding it difficult to get your child to school on time please speak with us, we want to help.
- Attendance Policy (259.15KB)