School Life | Pomphlett Primary School

Absence Requests

Fri 24 Apr 2015

Dear Parents

Please be advised there is a new Absence Request Form which can be found under Parents/Forms and Letters.

You will be aware that the government has changed the regulations regarding children taking holidays or having time off from school. These changes have recently been strengthened and made more precise regarding the exceptional circumstances that would allow absences to be authorised. These updated regulations further restrict the absences headteachers can authorise and also detail the penalties parents would be exposed to should they take their children out of school during term time without authorisation.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that all parents understand the rules surrounding absence - the school has a statutory duty to enforce these regulations. Please be aware that Headteachers now have very little discretion for authorising absences and the school's management of children's attendance is closely scrutinised by the Education Welfare Office and Ofsted. If parents object to these regulations (which are explicit government policy) or are unhappy with their enforcement by the school, I suggest they contact their MP to express their dissatisfaction as schools now have very little control over this area.

MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

Fri 24 Apr 2015

Please be aware that children's attendance is closely scrutinised by the Educational Welfare Officer and Ofsted; We would like to remind you that medical appointments are included in attendance. Unless an emergency, all medical appointments should be made after school or within the holidays.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter

Mr Walsh

CHILDREN BEING LATE IN THE MORNING

Fri 24 Apr 2015

We have received a recent increase in the number of children arriving into school late. School starts at 9.00 am and children are expected to be in the playground from 8.50 am onwards, ready to line up with the rest of their class. Staff will then escort them into school.

Please be aware that every child who enters the school through the main reception area will be marked in as late and this will be recorded on our attendance system which is reviewed frequently by our Education Welfare Officer.

Regards