In the academic year 2022-23 there are 189 days of school. The national expectation for school attendance is 96-97%. This is just 7 days absence in the whole school year.

Your child needs to arrive at school on time and ready to learn every day. Teaching builds knowledge over a carefully planned sequence of lessons and friendships can change quickly; both of these can affect your child's confidence.

Authorised & unauthorised absences

Absence may be authorised for illness, medical appointments or some special religious observances. Where possible, medical appointments should be made outside school hours or in holidays.

Children do pick up coughs and colds but these aren't usually serious enough to prevent them from coming to school. Please be assured that if your child became unwell or we had any concerns, we would contact you. We do ask that children remain at home for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea because it can quickly spread to other pupils and staff.   

If your child is ill, please call the school office and leave a message. We are legally required to record the reason for absence.

When children have chronic or serious illnesses leading to prolonged absence, we will work with families and colleagues in the Education Service to ensure that they are learning when well enough to do so.  

Holidays in term time will not be authorised.  An absence from school without an explanation, for any reason, is unauthorised.  Parents should expect a call from the school office if a child has an unreported absence.  It is an important part of our safeguarding responsibility.

Absences from schools in Hertfordshire are monitored by an Attendance Improvement Officer. Where there are concerns about pupil attendance, school or the AIO may contact a family to discuss ways to improve it e.g. with support from other services such as Gade Family Support or ESTMA.