Parent Information
Attendance and Punctuality
Reporting absence:
It is important that all pupil absence is reported to the school office on the first morning of absence. The school office opens at 8.00am and there is an answering machine where you can leave messages.
It is a legal requirement that all parents and carers report when a pupil is absent from school, whatever the reason, giving details of when and how long the student is likely to be absent. Unauthorised absences will be investigated by the school attendance officer.
Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you do really need to take your child out of school during term time you must make it very clear in your request how the circumstances are exceptional. Requests must be made in writing using the relevant form.
Medical appointments: Please inform the school office of your child’s medical appointment. Parents / carers must produce either the letter of appointment or an appointment card to the school office so that a copy can be taken to confirm the absence.
Morning appointments: As registers are taken in the morning and afternoon, if the appointment is in the morning the pupil is expected in school for the afternoon session.
Afternoon appointments: If the appointment is in the afternoon the pupil should attend school in the morning.
General : All schools receive checks from the local authority Education Welfare department who monitor our pupils’ attendance and punctuality on a regular basis. It is your responsibility to ensure your children are in school on time every day. School will therefore send a text message to request a reason for any absence.
Attendance and Punctuality
Elm Court School is committed to supporting pupils to achieve the best possible school attendance by:
Promoting the importance of good attendance.
Reducing absences, including those that are persistent and severe.
Ensuring all pupils have access to a full-time education.
Taking action early on to address patterns of absence.
Building strong relationships with families to ensure that pupils have the support they need to attend school.
A celebration of pupils who have 100% attendance at the end of each half term is held in the Achievement assembly.
Weekly attendance competition between tutor groups at Elm Court.
Our goal is to promote and support punctuality to school and in every lesson.
Here is a guide that can help you understand the impact of every single day your child is absent on their attendance: