A family working and growing together to reach our potential.
Attendance
It is a statutory duty for parents to ensure that children attend school.
In primary school, some children miss three weeks of the school year on average. That is half a year of school by the end of year 6. Consequently, the Government has put strict restrictions on schools with regards to the level of absence tolerated, and all attendance must be regularly monitored and schools must answer for their data to the local authority and Ofsted.
We know that every child’s attendance can dip at certain times in their school career. It is our job to monitor this, talk to you and offer support or to enforce the statutory duty afforded us by the Government if this is needed. The texts, letters and meetings are meant as support and assurance for both sides.
Absence
If your child is absent from school please telephone the school office on the first morning to register the absence. Our answerphone will be switched on until 9.30am.
Alternatively you can email the school office at stmarks.ceprimaryschool@salford.gov.uk to report the absence.
All absences causing concern will be followed up by a telephone call or text.
Attendance Policy
Holidays in Term Time
The Department for Education (DFE) has announced important amendments to legislation surrounding holidays in term time.
From 1st September 2013, the new law gives no entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday in term time. Any application for leave must only be in exceptional circumstances and the Head Teacher must be satisfied that the circumstances are exceptional and warrant the granting of leave. Head Teachers would not be expected to class any term time holiday as exceptional. Parents can be fined by the Local Authority for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from the school.
Please see letter attached.