Attendance
Excellent attendance underpins Springfield's core commitment in fostering excellence in every child. We expect all children to attend school every day and on time. In this way children flourish in classroom environments which promote learning in every regard. High levels of attendance not only serve to safeguard pupils’ academic progress, but also supports their positive emotional well-being through PSHE, pastoral care and opportunities to develop sustained friendships.
Why is attendance important?
School ensures that children have the best start in life and that they are equipped for succeeding both academically and socially so that they can achieve in their exams and manage relationships. Children who miss school are more likely to become victims or perpetrators of crime. The more school children miss the harder it is to catch up. Statistics show that 90% of persistent absentees (those with attendance below 90%) fail to achieve 5 or more good GCSE grades or equivalent. Poor examination results limit young people's options. Good school outcomes are the passport into higher education and better jobs.
What can parents do to ensure good attendance at school?
- Create good routines for mornings at home so that your child can arrive punctually and ensure they are properly equipped with the right uniform, PE kit, school bag, pencil case, and books
- Read all school communications
- Encourage and show interest; discuss their day with them.
- Check your child understands their homework and that it has been completed.
- Contact the school if your child is worried about something, causing reluctance to go to school.
- Set realistic boundaries and sanctions
- Let the school know the reason(s) for any absence and a likely return date, on the first day of the absence and update the school daily.
- Make medical/dental appointments out of school time, whenever possible.
- Do not take holidays during term time.
What do I need to do if my child cannot attend school?
We monitor attendance daily for safeguarding purposes, if your child cannot attend school then we ask that you call the school office (01932 782815) by 8.55am. If we do not receive a phone call, we will contact you, to ensure that your child is safe, if we do not receive an explanation the absence will be marked as unauthorised.
Acceptable reasons for school absence - which cannot be scheduled outside of school hours.
· Emergency dental/medical appointments.
· Day of religious observance
· Family bereavement
Unless ill, you should request permission for your child to miss school, well in advance, giving full details of the absence.
Penalty Notices
Just to remind parents/carers that if they take their children out of school without authority for 5 or more days (which do not have to be consecutive) , they will be liable to receive a penalty notice. Currently the amount payable under a penalty notice is £60.00 per parent/carer per child if paid within 21 days. Thereafter the amount increases to £120.00 if paid between 21 and 28 days. If the penalty notice remains unpaid after 28 days, the Local Authority will consider a prosecution in the Magistrates Court. Please note that penalty notices are issued per parent/carer per child so a family of two parents and two children will receive 4 penalty notices.
Surrey County Council is not responsible for authorising pupil absence and therefore cannot withdraw any Penalty Notice requests without the written permission of the Headteacher.
Click here to view the Attendance Policy
