Punctuality & Absence Procedures
Punctuality Procedures
Our school day (registration) begins at 8.45am.
Children may enter their classrooms from 8:40am but no later than 8:50am.
Children arriving to school after this time will need to enter school via the school office as pupil entrances and classroom doors will be locked and secured in line with our safeguarding policy and procedures.
Children entering school via the office will require a parent or carer to sign them in and provide a reason for being late.
The Impact of Punctuality
We know that every minute of the school day counts and we want every child to start their day feeling calm, confident, and ready to learn.
Arriving on time is a key part of this.
When children arrive punctually:
- They settle into the school routine smoothly
- They don’t miss important instructions or learning opportunities
- They feel included and connected with their classmates
Being late can have a bigger impact than it may seem:
- Children may feel rushed, anxious, or embarrassed
- They can miss key learning moments, especially in phonics, reading, and maths
- Frequent lateness can affect attendance records and may lead to follow-up from the school educational welfare team.
We understand that mornings can be busy, and we’re here to help.
Top Tips for a Punctual Morning
- Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine.
- Prepare uniforms, bags, and lunches the night before.
- Leave a little earlier than you think you need to, to avoid congestion or unforeseen events.
- Use alarms or reminders to stay on track and minimise distractions such as screen time.
- Talk positively about the school day ahead to build excitement
If lateness is becoming a challenge, please speak to us—we’ll work with you to find solutions.
Absence Procedures
Our school operates a first day of absence contact system. If your child is ill, or attending an appointment and is going to be absent from school, please let the school office know as soon as possible on 0161 789 4386 on the morning of your child’s absence.
If you have not informed the school of an absence by 10:00am then parents will be contacted by text/phone to provide a reason.
Until we receive an explanation for your child's absence, it will be recorded as unauthorised.
Unauthorised absences and school attendance figures are subject to monitoring by the School, Local Authority and Ofsted.
Repeated failure to attend school will be referred to the educational welfare team for reasons outline below.
Why Attendance Matters
For most pupils, the best place to be during term-time is in school, surrounded by the support of their friends and teachers. This is important not just for your child’s learning, but also for their overall wellbeing, wider development and their mental health. Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in a child’s academic success. It ensures that pupils stay on track with learning, build strong relationships, and develop the habits that support lifelong achievement. Recent research from the Department for Education shows just how closely attendance and attainment are linked:
- Primary School (Year 6): Pupils with 95–100% attendance were 30% more likely to meet expected standards in reading, writing, and maths than those with 90–95% attendance. Missing just 10 days can reduce the likelihood of reaching these standards by 25%.
How You Can Help
- Encourage your child to attend school every day unless they are genuinely unwell.
- Schedule appointments and holidays outside of school hours.
- Reach out to your child's class teacher or to our family lialson officer, Miss Wheelan, if your child is facing challenges or has barriers to attendance at school. We’re here to support you in any way we can.
Requests for Leave of Absence
Our attendance policy and procedures for requests for leave of absence are in line with current government guidance;
Working together to improve school attendance
Summary table of responsibilities for school attendance
If due to exceptional reasons you do need to request a leave of absence, please submit a Leave of Absence Request form (available from the school office or below) at least 4 weeks before the start of the proposed absence.
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How much could I be fined if my child misses school?
In the majority of cases, schools and local authorities will try and provide support to help you improve your child’s attendance first, but if this isn’t effective or the absence is for an unauthorised term time holiday, parents may face paying a fine.
It’s the responsibility of the local authority to decide when to issue fines to parents, meaning the process varies from council to council. However, under the national rules, all schools are required to consider a fine when a child has missed 10 or more sessions (5 days) for unauthorised reasons.
From August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. This rate is in line with inflation and is the first increase since 2012.
In the case of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.
Fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action like a parenting order or prosecution will be considered.
If you’re prosecuted and attend court because your child hasn’t been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500.