How does the Epworth Education Trust ensure good attendance in its schools?

The Epworth Education Trust aim to provide a positive, welcoming and supportive environment within its schools and their classrooms.  We emphasise to parents and pupils the importance of regular attendance and punctuality and we aim to offer a consistent approach to attendance matters through the implementation of procedures to record and follow up pupils’ absences and lateness, as well as praising and rewarding excellent and improved pupil attendance.

Parents and children will be welcomed by a member of staff.  This is a time were parents will have the opportunity to pass on a message or have a quick chat with a member of the school staff on duty.

What should I do if my child can’t attend school?

A child not attending school is considered a safeguarding matter so information about the cause of an absence is always required. Registers are live, legal documents and therefore the government recommend that amendments are not made at a later date/time. For this reason, it is paramount that school is contacted before an absence

begins. To report an absence, a telephone message stipulating the precise reason for the absence and the anticipated return date must be left on the absence line of the school office on 01942 672614 ext 1 before registration is taken at 8:45am on the first day of absence. Where a proposed date of return is not given, the same procedure must be followed on every subsequent day of absence. 

Children who have had an illness where sickness and/or diarrhoea was prevalent must remain at home and not return to school for 48 hours after their last bout of sickness/diarrhoea, in line with NHS guidance. Sending a message (on dojo or tapestry) or email is not an acceptable way to report an absence as these cannot always be viewed in a timely manner.

Can my child go on Holiday during term-time?

No holidays will be authorised during term time.  If you feel there are exceptional circumstance then you should contact the school for a meeting with the Headteacher/Pastoral Manager were it will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Taking more than 5 days unauthorised leave/absence for a holiday will normally result in a fixed penalty notice being served.

Can my child attend a funeral and/or wedding?

Absences for religious observance, exams, and educational visits may be authorised but you must consult the Pastoral Manager first to discuss this absence.

My child has a medical appointment, what should I do?

All medical/dentist appointments should be made outside school hours. If this is not possible, evidence of the child’s appointment must be shown to the school office before the child leaves school for the appointment. Advance warning of all appointments is preferred.