Attendance

At Swannington CofE Primary School, we place a strong emphasis on the importance of regular and punctual attendance. Good attendance helps children achieve higher academic attainment, develop life-long habits, and take full advantage of the opportunities school provides.

School Day Timings:

School hours: 8:50am – 3:15pm
Gates open: 8:40am

Attendance Lead (Rise Multi Academy Trust): Mrs K Harvey

We understand that absences can sometimes be unavoidable. Below is guidance on our attendance procedures, ensuring all pupils remain safe and supported.

Illness

If your child wakes feeling unwell, parents should assess whether they are well enough for school. Children with minor colds, coughs, headaches, or earaches (without a temperature) can usually attend school, possibly with medication such as paracetamol.

Contagious illnesses (e.g., chickenpox, vomiting) should be reported to the school, and your child should remain at home. If unsure, contact the school office for advice.

Reporting Absences Due to Illness:

Contact the school by 9:00am on the first day of absence.
Maintain daily communication with the school during the absence.
The school decides whether an absence is authorised. In most cases, a parent’s note is sufficient, but further evidence may be requested if attendance is a concern.

Medical and Dental Appointments

Appointments should where possible be booked outside school hours.
Confirm appointments with an appointment card or letter.
Pupils are expected to attend school before and after appointments.
Absence beyond travel and appointment time is unauthorised.
Authorisation will not be granted for family members’ appointments.

Unexplained Absences

Unexplained absences are treated seriously to ensure pupil safety. Procedures include:

Checking registers at 9:00am and contacting parents or carers.
Contacting other emergency contacts if parents cannot be reached.
Home visits by school staff or the Trust Attendance Lead if necessary.
In extreme cases, contacting the police to carry out a safe-and-well check.

Important: Ensure Arbor has up-to-date emergency contacts.

Persistent and Unauthorised Absence

Attendance below 96% triggers proactive support and monitoring.
Attendance below 90% is classed as persistent absence by the Department for Education.
Actions include letters, meetings, and attendance action plans with parents.
Attendance below 85% for six weeks, with unauthorised absences and no improvement, may result in referral to the Local Authority Statutory Service, including:
- Written warning letters
- Penalty notices
- Possible prosecution for non-school attendance

How Parents Can Support Good Attendance

Ensure children arrive on time each day.
Support your child by attending parent evenings and school events.
Communicate any concerns about attendance with the school.
Work in partnership with the school to resolve attendance issues.
Schedule medical appointments outside school hours when possible.
Avoid taking children out of school for holidays or unnecessary reasons.

For more information on our approach to attendance, please see the Attendance Policy and Procedures on the school website.

Holidays During Term Time

Rise Multi Academy Trust follows the UK Government guidance on holiday absence in term time due to the disruption caused to pupils’ learning.

Holidays during term time are not authorised.
Parents are asked not to request authorisation for family holidays during school terms.

For the latest government guidance on school attendance, please visit: UK Government – School Attendance Guidance

Absence and Attainment

Did you know?

There are 190 school days in a year, leaving 175 non-school days for family holidays and routine appointments.

Children have the best chance of success if their school attendance is between 95–100%.

A persistently absent child misses at least 10% of school time according to the Department for Education.

90% attendance means missing one day every two weeks, which totals nearly four weeks per year.

Over the course of primary and secondary school, 90% attendance equates to missing a full school year.

Attendance Rewards

We encourage pupils to develop good habits, which support lifelong learning and improve future opportunities. Good attendance is celebrated and rewarded:

Weekly celebrations for the class with the best attendance
Recognition of individuals with excellent attendance throughout the year

How to Track Attendance

Parents can monitor their child’s attendance and stay informed through:

Arbor – track individual attendance online
Half-term attendance newsletters – containing class percentages and useful information
Parent evenings – your child’s teacher will discuss attendance
Attendance certificates – can be requested from the school office

For more guidance and support, see: Working Together to Improve School Attendance