Parent Prospectus - Gusford Primary School

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Prospectus\Academic Year 2012.2013.doc
Attendance
Information on Absence and Pupil Attendance
Schools are required to keep and publish information about unauthorised absence. An unauthorised
absence is one for which the school does not receive written notification of the reason why a child has been
absent, or where the reason given is not regarded as satisfactory.
Obviously it is difficult to set down a comprehensive list of acceptable reasons for absence.
However, ‘going to buy new clothes’, ‘getting a hair cut’ or ‘having a day off as a birthday present’ are some
of the reasons given which would not be authorised.
The DfEE also suggests that ‘parents should be encouraged to avoid, as far as possible, arranging medical
and similar appointments for their children during school hours. Normally children are collected from the
school by an adult if they have such appointments.
Education regulations have now changed with regards to taking holidays in term time. No holiday in term
time will be routinely authorised. If you have an exceptional reason for your term time request for absence
(e.g. no choice of holiday dates from your workplace, bereavement issues) then please write to the head
teacher explaining the reason for your request. Schools in the Chantry area have agreed that all such
applications will be reviewed by the Educational Welfare Officer and she will decide whether it is to be
authorised. This ensures consistency in holidays being granted. Parents should consider that taking holidays
during term time can be disruptive to their child’s education.
If you take your child on holiday in term time and it is not authorised you will receive a warning letter from
the Local Education Authority explaining that if further unauthorised absences occur you will be issued with
a fixed penalty notice.
If you are intending to take a family holiday please collect a permission form from the School Office. Work
is not set by teachers when children are absent on holiday. Taking time off during the term is likely to
adversely affect your child’s work, particularly in mathematics and English. Absence during the National
Curriculum test week for Year 6 should be avoided at all costs. These are usually held during the second or
third weeks of May each year.
Attendance Levels 2010/2011
Gusford attendance rate 93.7%
National attendance rate 95.22%
Gusford Daily Level of Authorised Absence 5.6%
Gusford Daily Level of Unauthorised Absence 0.7%
Gusford total absence 6.3%
National total absence 5.78%