Southfields Primary School

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Attendance

 

Our Commitment to Attendance

At Southfields Primary School, we believe everyday counts. Regular attendance is key to achieving your child's full potential. We are committed to creating a calm, orderly, safe, and supportive learning environment that encourages pupils to attend school every day. As a parent or carer, you have a statutory duty to ensure your child’s regular attendance.

Every Day Counts

  • Attendance Target: While the Government considers 96% as the minimum acceptable attendance, we aim for at least 97%.
  • Why It Matters: Consistent attendance helps your child maximise learning and fully benefit from educational opportunities.

Absence Reporting Procedures

  • How to Report: Please contact the school on 02476 226810 option 1 and leave a message, before 9:00 AM, providing as many details as possible regarding your child’s absence.
  • Poor Attendance: If a child's attendance or punctuality falls below 97%, you will be notified, and support will be offered to address any concerns.
  • Note: Parental illness or a child’s birthday is not accepted as an excuse for non-attendance. Children should only miss school if they are unwell.

Medical Appointments

  • Appointments: We ask that you schedule medical or dental appointments outside of school hours wherever possible.
  • During School Hours: If an appointment must occur during school time, please notify the school office in advance and provide evidence of the appointment so the absence can be recorded appropriately. Parents/Carers should get the school’s agreement in advance and the pupil should only be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary for the appointment. Parents should be aware that if a pupil is present at registration but then leaves the school to attend a medical or dental appointment but returns to school after the appointment there will be no impact on a child’s attendance. Bringing your child in late after an appointment will mean that they will be registered as attending a medical appointment and it will count as an absence for the morning.

Home Visits and Unauthorised Absences

Unreported Absences: If you do not inform the school when your child is absent, members of our Pastoral Team may visit your home to discuss the situation.

  • Follow-Up: Failure to contact the school may result in your child being registered as Missing from Education with the Local Authority.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

  • Policy: Unauthorised term-time holidays are not permitted.
  • Consequences: Unauthorised absences may lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued by the Local Authority – £160 per child per parent (reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days for a first offence).
  • Exceptions: For family emergencies, please complete an Exceptional Leave of Absence form and arrange an appointment with the Head Teacher

Lateness

  • Arrival Time: All children arriving after 9:00 AM must be signed in at the school office by an adult, along with an explanation for the lateness.
  • Implications: Persistent lateness is treated as irregular attendance and could lead to legal action. Arrival after 9:30 AM will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Late Collection

  • Notification: If you expect to be late for collection or have arranged alternative pick-up, please inform the school as soon as possible.
  • Procedure: In the absence of communicated changes, the school will take steps to contact you and, if necessary, your emergency contacts.
  • Safeguarding: If a child remains uncollected 30 minutes after the end of the school day, the school will contact Coventry Children’s Services for guidance.

School Day Timings

  • Doors Open: 8:50 AM
  • Register Taken: 9:00 AM (arrivals after this time are considered late)
  • School Day Ends: 3:30 PM
  • Contact Updates: Please ensure your contact details and those of your emergency contacts are kept up to date.

Further Information


For more details on attendance, regulations and legal measures, please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/attendance-inclusion/attendance

Statutory Guidance (DfE) Working together to improve school attendance (applies from 19 August 2024)

Attendance Competition !!!!!

Pupils that have attend school everyday this term from Monday 20th January 2025 until Friday 11th April 2025 will be entered into a draw to win one of four family passes to The Wave Waterpark in Coventry City Centre.

The Wave

Click here for the poster:

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