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Trimley St Mary Primary School

Attendance & Absence

Attendance
Trimley St Mary Primary School believes that in order to facilitate teaching and learning, good attendance is essential. Pupils cannot achieve their full potential if they do not regularly attend school.
 
We understand that barriers to attendance are complex, and that some pupils find it harder than others to attend school; therefore, we will continue to prioritise cultivating a safe and supportive environment at school, as well as strong and trusting relationships with pupils and parents.
 
We take a whole-school approach to securing good attendance, and recognise the impact that our efforts in other areas – such as the curriculum, behaviour standards, bullying, SEND support, pastoral support, and the effective use of resources such as pupil premium – can have on improving pupil attendance.
 
The school’s Lead Attendance Officer is Mr P Murray, who works very closely with our Home School Liaison & Attendance Officer, Mrs M Dodwell.   Should you have any concerns or queries regarding attendance, please contact either Mr Murray or Mrs Dodwell via our School Office on 01394 284130 or office@trimley.net
 
Our full Attendance Policy can be located under 'Our School / Policies / Attendance' and a quick reference guide can be accessed via the link below.
Absence due to Holidays
 
If you are intending that your child will be absent from school, i.e. holiday, please complete the Leave of Absence Form at least 5 days before the absence is due to take place.
 
PLEASE DO NOT USE PARENTMAIL TO ADVISE OF HOLIDAY ABSENCES
 
Unless for exceptional circumstances, holidays will not be authorised.
 
There is a single national consistent threshold for when a penalty notice will be issued, of 10 sessions (equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school week period.
 
These sessions do not have to be consecutive and can be made up of a combination of any type of unauthorised absence. 
 
The 10 school week period can span different terms or school years.
 
First Offence  - The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for unauthorised absence the amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days. (Reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days)
 
Repeated absences due to holidays will be referred to the Education Welfare Officer.
 
A Leave of Absence Form can be obtained from the Main School Office or accessed via the link above.
Absence due to Illness
 
If your child is unwell, please contact school by Parentmail or leave a message on the absence line by 9.30am, where possible.
 
You should contact school on the first day of absence & each succeeding day - unless advised differently by school staff.
 
If your child is absent for 3 or more day, the Attendance Team will be in contact with you and arrange a regular check in with you to ensure everyone is safe and well, and to discuss expected return dates.
 
Each child's needs are individually assessed, their medical needs will always come first.  By working together we can ensure that your child's education and school needs are met along with their health and wellbeing.
 
The school reserves the right to request supporting medical evidence where there is genuine and reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the absence.