Parents

Model Attendance Policy

Good attendance means that children usually make good, consistent progress in their school work.

Bere Regis School expects good attendance from its pupils, in order for them to make the most of the opportunities that the school has to offer. We rely on our partnership with parents to ensure that this is achieved.

We would ask parents to help the school by notifying us of all absences on the first day if possible, and always to ensure that any absence is covered by a note on your child's return to school. Any absence which is known in advance, such as family holidays, should be notified to the school in writing beforehamd.

Our children are praised for good attendance, we give certificates at the end of the school year for children whose attendance has been excellent. Attendance is also noted on Reports which are passed on to the middle school.

The school day:

Our school day starts at 8.55 a.m. Registers are marked shortly after this. Pupils who are not present for registration will be marked as absent initially. If they arrive before 9.10 a.m. this will be changed to present but late. Any pupil arriving after this time will require a lettr of explanation.

Authorised and unauthorised absence:

The law requires that all schools must now show the difference between authorised and unauthorised absence.

Authorised absence can be:

Sickness
Medical or dental appointments which canot be arranged outside school hours
Days of religious observance
Holidays with parents - a maximum of 2 weeks. Parents need to apply to the Authority for more than 2 weeks.

Unauthorised absence is:

Truancy
Staying at home to look after younger children or sick relatives
Going shopping or having hair cut
Any absence which the school has not been informed about, either by letter or telephone.
Any family holiday of more than 2 weeks

Monitoring Attendance:

An attendance book will be kept.
The weekly percentage figures for each class will be noted (Unauthorised Absences).
The average percentage attendance for the whole school will be noted.
M rs Langdown will be responsible for this monitoring, in close liaison with the Headteacher.
Teachers will note both authorised and unauthorised absences in the regisdters.
Concerns will be brought to the attention of the Education Social Welfare Officer. (ESWO).

Please Remember:

Ring the school if at all possible on the first day of absence
Or send a written message.

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