Attendance
Elm Hall Primary School seeks to ensure that all its pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise their true potential. The school will provide a welcoming, caring environment, whereby each member of the school community feels wanted and secure. All staff will work with pupils and their families to ensure each pupil attends school regularly and punctually.
To meet this objective the school will establish effective and efficient systems of communication with pupils, parents / carers and appropriate agencies to provice mutal information, advice and support.
All children on roll are expected to attend every day when school is in session, as long as they are fit and healthy to do so. We believe that children need to be in school for all sessions so that they can make the most progress possible. However, we do understand that there are circumstances under which parents may legitimately request leave of absence for a child to attend.
Punctuality
Pupils can come in to school from 8.35 am and the school day starts promptly at 8.40 am. If a child arrives at school after the reigsters have opened at 8.40 am without prior arrangement having been agreed, they will be deemed late. Registers close at 8.50 am and arrival at school after this time, without prior approval or extenuating circumstances, will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
Pupils arriving after 8.40 am must enter through the main gates and report to the school office to be signed in by an adult. Pupils leaving school for any reason must report to the office before they go so that we can ensure that they are appropriately chaperoned and signed out.
Registers are also taken when the children return to classes after lunch. Registers are taken at 1.00 pm for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, and are closed at 1.20 pm for Key Stage 1 Key Stage 2.
Unexplained absences will be investigated by the school.
School finishes for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 at 3.15 pm
Attendance Guidance and Information
Leave of Absence procedures
All children on roll are expected to attend every day when school is in session, as long as they are fit and healthy to do so.
As detailed in our Attendance Policy, and in line with DfE guidance, we do not authorise leave of absence during term time other than when exceptional circumstances permit. If you wish to take your child out of school, during term time, it is important to discuss this with us as much in advance as possible so we can guide you through the process.
If parents wish for their child to be absent from school they are requested to complete an 'Application for Leave of Absence during Term Time' form and return it to the school at least one week in advance. The decision to authorise any absence is taken by the head teacher and will take into account the child's record of attendance.
Unauthorised absence could lead to further action being taken including a penalty notice being issued. Department for Education information regarding this is available here.