We want to support our families to ensure high attendance for all our pupils. We know the importance of high attendance and how wellbeing, progress and outcomes are affected by low rates of attendance. We are committed to working in partnership to remove barriers and ensure a positive learning experience for our children.
Regular attendance is critical in ensuring pupils make good progress each year.
Reporting an Absence
If your child is ill and unable to attend school, it is the responsibility of the parent or carer to inform the school office by telephone prior to 9:00am on the first day of absence, and any subsequent days. Stamford Bridge Primary School operates a 24 hour answer phone service (01759 371 430). We work with parents, carers and external agencies to ensure a high level of attendance.
Medical Issues
If your child is ill, please do not send him or her to school. If your child becomes ill during the school day, they should inform their teacher who will ensure that they receive appropriate care and that parents are contacted. Some pupils require medicines to be given during the school day. If possible, please give your child any required medicine before school, after school and at bedtime. If your child does need to take medicine during the school day, please inform the school office and hand in any medicine to the School Reception for safekeeping.
Under government regulations, schools are required to record all absences of children from school. Any child who is absent from school will have to be marked in the registers as an “unauthorised absence” unless we have received a phone call or note from parents/carers telling us a valid reason for the child’s absence. Registers are checked on a daily basis and parents/carers whose children have had a lot of “unauthorised” absences will be invited to a meeting with the Headteacher to discuss ways of improving attendance.
If a child is absent through illness or a visit to the doctors or dentist, etc., this will be marked as an “authorised absence” provided we receive a phone call and a note of explanation. A copy of your appointment card or letter is also required. Verbal messages from other children cannot be accepted. Please send a note, ring the school or call to make sure the message gets through. Please remember that after sickness or diarrhoea, it is important you keep your child at home for at least 48 hours.
Infectious diseases, i.e. mumps, measles, chicken pox or German measles, should be notified as soon as possible. If your child is absent from school we would be grateful if you could let the school office know by 9.00 am to explain the absence. This is to ensure the safety of your child and to comply with the Department for Children, Schools and Families register requirements. If we do not hear from you by 9.00 am we will telephone home for an explanation. Persistent lateness or absences may result in a visit from the Educational Welfare Officer. Any unexplained absence will unfortunately have to be recorded as unauthorised.
At Stamford Bridge Primary School we are committed to working with all other Wonder Learning Partnership schools to reduce the number of school days missed due to term time holidays. This agreement has been drawn up and published as an exceptional circumstances policy that all head teachers adhere to when considering any parental requests. Term time holidays are not permitted except in certain exceptional circumstances. The office staff will be able to inform you of these.
Please see useful links and documents for the NHS Guide: Is my child well enough for school?
Thank you for your ongoing support.