Attendance/Absence

Attendance

Our school target is 96.5%

Each week we present a trophy to the class with the best attendance.

Each term, the class who has achieved the highest attendance is rewarded with an exciting activity.

If your child's attendance falls below 95% you will be notified in writing of improvement required.

If your child’s attendance falls below 93% you will be picked up by the Education Welfare Officer and you may be asked to attend a meting in school.

Child Absence

If your child is going to be absent from school, please ring before the start of the school day and at the very latest by 9:20am. Each day your child is absent, you will need to follow this same procedure until they return to school.

You will be able to leave a message stating name, class and reason for absence. If a specific reason has not been left we may call you back. When a child is absent from school and no call has been received, we will call you to find out why your child is not in school. In some instances, where an absence has not been reported, we may call at your home address to ensure your child’s safety.

The absence line is 01279 421495

For information and guidance when your child is ill, please click on the Childhood Illnesses Information form.

Childhood Illnesses Information

Leave of Absence from school

All holidays during term time will be unauthorised by the school. 

Katherines Primary Academy adheres to DfE guidelines and Essex County Council's Code of Conduct in taking children out of school during term time.  Leave taken without permission of the Head Teacher will be recorded as unauthorised, and you may be liable to a Penalty Notice resulting in a £80 fine per child, per parent.  (Rising to £160 if not paid within 28 days).

In very rare exceptional circumstances consideration may be given to grant permission for absence during term time. This is a leave of absence which we feel would be of unique and significant emotional, educational or spiritual value to the child which outweighs the loss of teaching time

Application in writing must be made to the Head of School.

Any leave of absence that has not been authorised will be referred to the Missing Education and Child Employment Service. This may result in the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution proceedings, which carries a maximum penalty of £160 for each parent.

How do I let the school know about medical and hospital appointments?

If the appointment really can’t be organised outside of school hours then you’ll need to write a letter to the School Office. The letter should state the date, time and type of appointment e.g. hospital, doctors etc and be accompanied by a copy of the actual appointment letter as well.