Attendance & Punctuality

Children are expected to attend school for the full 190 days of the academic year, unless there is a good reason for absence. Full attendance is vital for your child’s educational progress. The school regards absences as a very serious concern and there is an overwhelming connection between those pupils who are frequently absent and those who on to underachieve in their future.

We understand that children have minor illnesses e.g. Viruses and infections.

When your child is absent, please either notify us via ParentMail absence reporting or telephone the school office on the first day of absence by 9.30 am, where you will hear a recorded message from which you can choose the option to report an absence. When this has been done, there is no need to send a letter of explanation when your child returns to school. If a message or letter is not received when your child returns to school, the absence will be recorded as “unauthorised”. In the event that your child has had symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they should not be sent to school until at least 48 hours has past, since the last bout. The same procedure will be expected to be followed should your child be sent home from school for vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

If your child needs to leave school during school time for an appointment, a note must be sent beforehand. No child will be allowed to leave school during the school day unaccompanied.

Punctuality

School begins at 8.40 am. Please can you ensure that your child arrives at school on time. Any child arriving later than 8:40 am should enter school via the main entrance reporting to the school office. The register closes at 9.20 am. If your child is late beyond this time it will be considered as an absence and therefore a letter is required.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

Please check school holiday dates – we send them out with the school’s newsletter and they can be found here.

Parents are strongly urged to avoid taking leave during term time. Parents do not have the right to take their child out of school. No requests for holidays will be authorised during time. In exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to request leave of absence. All such cases should be applied for in writing on the schools 'Application For Request For Leave Of Absence During Term Time' Form. Parents should request leave of absence in advance and all requests should be submitted at least two weeks before the first day of intended absence using the form.

Due to increasing concerns over pupil absence, the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body decided that from  September 2015, Longfield Primary School would be following the recommended procedures set out by Harrow Local Authority in regards to the issuing of Penalty Notices and Court Prosecution where pupils' attendance is causing concern.

Encouraging Attendance and Punctuality

The School will monitor all attendance; any cause of concern will be discussed with child’s parent/ carer. Any absence with no reason provided will be followed up with a text and/or letter. If your child is persistently absent it may be necessary for a referral to be made to our attached Education Welfare Officer.

The School encourages outstanding, excellent and good attendance every term by awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze Certificates. At the end of the school year outstanding, excellent and good attendance is rewarded with an attendance medal.

As a parent, do not to allow your child to have time off school unless it is really necessary. Try and make any appointments for your child outside school time. If you have any concerns, or require help and support speak to your child’s class teacher. You may contact the school’s attached Education Welfare Officer available on telephone number 0208 901 2690.

Further information on attendance and punctuality can be found in Longfield Primary School’s Attendance and Punctuality Policy found here. 

For notification of illness or any other reason why your child is not at school, including leave of absence requests, please email: attendance@longfieldprimary.co.uk