All staff at Heavers Farm are committed, in partnership with the parents, pupils, governors, and the Local Authority, to building a school which serves the community, and of which the community is proud.
School staff, along with the Local Authority, believe that all pupils benefit from regular school attendance. We will encourage and support parents/carers in ensuring their children maximise their educational opportunities through regular attendance, and that any difficulties that impact upon attendance are identified and acted upon promptly.
Arrival at School
Children coming to school should use the main entrances and for their own safety must keep to the pavement. Children should assemble on the area outside their classroom from 8.30am onwards.
Porridge will be served to children on the playground from 8.30am, this is free and available to everyone. First come, first served.
Children are not allowed on the MUGA. Entry to school is permitted at 8.40am. All doors are locked at 8.50am. Children arriving after this time will not be allowed to enter through the classrooms and must go to the main school office where their lateness is recorded.
Lateness
Teachers will register their children from 8:45am. Children arriving in school between 8:51am and 9:15am are recorded as late and given a code L, this is a late code.
Children who arrive in school from 9:16am onwards are given a code U; this is an unauthorised absence.Children are given an attendance mark for health and safety reasons, but are regarded in law as being absent. If a child persistently attends schools after the close of the register consideration will be given to (a) the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice in the sum of £60.00 or (b) a referral to our EWO for prosecution. Lateness not only affects the learning of the student in question, but also affects the learning of others.
Sickness Absence
We understand that children do become unwell and may need to stay at home to recover. This is perfectly acceptable and we ask that parents telephone us and tell us if this is is the case. If you do this can then authorise your child’s absence.
Some parents/carers may be asked to bring in medical evidence every time their child is ill, even it is just ½ day. You will be notified by the school in writing if this applies to you.
If you do not let the school know why your child is absent we will text or telephone you to on the first day of absence to find out why your child is not in school.
If your child drops below 90% you will be placed on our cause for concern register and you will be invited in to school to discuss this further.
Persistent non-attendance, where absences cannot be justified in law, may result in the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices in accordance with the Local Authority’s penalty notice protocol. In addition, the school will support the Educational Welfare Service in prosecutions brought under Section 444 Education Act 1996, or in applications in the Family Proceedings Court for Education Supervision Orders.
Leave of Absence During Term Time
The taking of leave during school time is not a right and can only be taken with authorisation from the Governing Board. A request for leave of absence during term time form can be obtained from the school office and a minimum of 14 days’ notice should be given before the start of the absence.
The Headteacher, on behalf of the Governing Board, will only authorise leave in exceptional circumstances. The request for leave during term time form will be reviewed by the Headteacher and the school’s Educational Welfare Officer (“EWO”). If appropriate, evidence of flights, holiday destination and address must be attached to the form. If leave is requested due to a family member being sick or sudden death, medical evidence or evidence of the funeral should also be submitted.
If leave is taken without authorisation, then consideration will be given to issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice. The fines are issued to each parent, for each child, and are: £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid between 21 and 28 days, in line with the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
Application for Leave of Absence during Term Time If you prefer a hard copy of the form, please ask at the school office.
Here is a full copy of our Attendance and Punctuality Policy
Rewarding Good Attendance
At the end of every term we offer prizes to children who have had excellent attendance and who have not been late to school.
At the end of the autumn and spring terms we select all of the children who have attendance of 98% and above and who have not been late more than once. We put these names in a hat and select one boy and one girl from each year group to choose a prize. These prizes include scooters, skate boards and in-line skates. These figures are worked out for each term which means that the children start afresh at the start of the spring term.
At the end of the summer term we select all of the children who have attendance of 98% and above and who have not been late more than once for the whole year. We put these names in a hat and select one boy and one girl from each year group to choose a prize of a brand new bicycle.
For further information on attendance please go to www.gov.uk