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Attendance

We believe that a child’s attendance and punctuality is of great importance to maintain consistent progress and achievement in both curriculum knowledge and understanding, and personal and social skills.

We want all the students to achieve the very best they can and for this they need to be in school regularly. Irregular attendance makes it harder to keep up with work, school life and events. Late arrival disrupts the education not only of the student who is late, but also of others in the class. Erratic appearances at after school clubs and social events can affect their feeling of belonging and, for some children, their ability to sustain friendships. They may miss explanations of homework, letters home or information in need of a response. 

Pupils who have good attendance will become successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve.  They will find school routines and school work easier to cope with and are more likely to have an easier transfer to secondary school and go on to become confident individuals who make a positive contribution to society.

By law, all children of compulsory school age must receive a proper full-time education. Under the 1996 Education Act, parents and carers are responsible for ensuring their children attend school regularly and punctually.  

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Parents and carers fulfil their role and responsibilities by:

  • Ensuring their child attends school every day unless they are too ill to attend or there is an acceptable reason for absence
  • Ensuring their child arrives on time, prepared and equipped for the day
  • Contacting the school by phone, by email or in person before 9.30a.m. on EVERY morning of absence
  • Arranging dental and doctor’s appointments out of school hours or during school breaks 
  • Informing the school in advance when it is not possible to arrange a medical appointment out of school hours and returning their child to school following a medical appointment
  • Supplying a packed lunch for children arriving after 9.30a.m. unless a school dinner has been previously booked     
  • Keeping the school updated by telephone or email if your child has an extended period of absence due to illness
  • Accepting the professional judgement of the Headteacher when they consider if the absence of a child is authorised or unauthorised
  • Communicating with school about their child’s progress and attending meetings such as Parents’ Evenings and attendance contract meetings                                                                                                                    
  • Working with the school Attendance Officer or Local Authority Education Welfare Officer to help improve the situation if a child’s attendance is below the expected level

I need help with my child's attendance

Overcoming Barriers Together!

Parents are legally responsible for ensuring that their children of compulsory school age receive efficient full time education and can be fined or prosecuted if they fail to do so.

We understand that occasionally families experience challenges and will sometimes need a little extra help to fulfil this obligation.

At Heybridge Primary School, ensuring your children achieve their full potential is at the centre of all we do, and for the children to achieve, they need to be in school.

Should your child's attendance become a concern, we will work with you to find ways to support and promote regular attendance.

If you would like to discuss your child's attendance or need some additional support, please contact:

01621 854082