Attendance

There is wide agreement among educational professionals and health professionals that school attendance is vital to the life chances of children and young people. Being in school improves the health, the wellbeing, and the socialisation of young people. The greatest benefits come when children and young people attend school regularly.

We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused some parents to feel less confident with assessing whether their child is well enough to be in school, so we hope you will find this information helpful.

For clarity, it is usually appropriate for parents and carers to send their children to school if they have a mild respiratory illness such as general cold symptoms: a minor cough, runny nose or sore throat. However, children should not be sent to school if they have a temperature of 38°C or above.

This guidance, produced by the NHS provides further information about a range of illness and ailments, and has advice about whether your child it too ill for school. If these thresholds are not met, please send your child to school so they can keep up with their learning.

NHS ‘Is my child too ill for school?’ guidance.

In addition to respiratory illnesses, we are aware that more children may be absent from school due to symptoms of anxiety, than before the pandemic. Worry and mild or moderate anxiety, whilst sometimes difficult emotions, can be a normal part of growing up for many children and young people.

Being in school can often help alleviate the underlying issues of anxiety, while a prolonged period of absence is likely to heighten a child’s anxiety about attending in the future, rather than reduce it. 

The DfE has published useful guidance on mental health issues affecting a pupil’s attendance and those who are experiencing persistent symptoms can be encouraged to access additional support.

Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting excellent attendance for your child at Prendergast Ladywell School

Attendance Matters

It has been proven that high levels of attainment and attendance are linked. If your child does not attend school every day on time, their chances to achieve are minimised.

From September 2015, if your if your child’s attendance level is under 90% (19 days absence a year) you could be prosecuted for failure to ensure your child’s regular attendance at school. You may be sentenced to a fine of up to £2,500 and / or a 3 month custodial sentence.

Section 444 of the 1996 Education Act states:

      "If a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, their parent is guilty of an offence."

We look forward to working with all parents / carers in ensuring all students attend school every day, on time.

Mrs J.Devigne-Nicholls
Attendance & Welfare Officer

Click to view our Attendance-and-Punctuality-Policy-Sep-23 (Under Review) 

Timings of the School Day

School Dinners