Please follow the link below for our most up to date information regarding attendance and lateness.
Attendance and Holiday in Term Time
In line with guidance from the Department for Education, attendance at Alfred Sutton is monitored and recorded by the Education Welfare Officer. The school aims to work in partnership with families and if attendance is a concern, there may be occasions when the School Education Welfare Officer feel it is appropriate to invite parents/carers into school or arrange a home visit to offer support and resolve any difficulties impacting attendance. In addition, the school’s Family Support Officer is available to offer practical and emotional support to families during difficult times that may impact a child’s attendance.
Research has shown that achievement is directly linked to attendance. Students with a high level of attendance invariably perform better in class and in examinations.
All children on roll at primary school are expected to attend school on time every day, so that they achieve a minimum of 95% attendance. As a guide:
At Alfred Sutton school starts at 8.50am prompt. Y1 to Y6 children are able to enter their classrooms from 8.40am and undertake quiet activities. Any children arriving after 8.50am must sign in at the School Office. School finishes at 3.10pm and children must be collected promptly at the end of the day.
The Nursery class starts at 8.40am and children arriving after 8.50am must be signed in at the School Office.
We understand that children are unwell at times and on these occasions we do not encourage children to attend school. In these cases, please note the following:
We ask that you consider carefully before requesting leave of absence for your child during term time, and that you submit the request in writing (via the form available in reception) before making any holiday or flight bookings. The Local Authority might issue you with a Fixed Penalty Notice fine should you be absent for a period of unauthorised absence and these fines are payable per parent, per child.
Should you have any queries or concerns about your child’s attendance please discuss these with the Attendance Officer, Liz Tanner by email ltanner@alfredsutton.reading.sch.uk or the Family Support Officer by emailing familysupport@alfredsutton.reading.sch.uk
Leave of Absence
Leave should be requested a month in advance and holiday bookings/reservations should not be made until the outcome of the leave application is received. This will be normally be within five working days of receipt of the application.
Any leave requested retrospectively or with inadequate notice will be unauthorised and a Penalty Notice may be issued.
It should be noted that requesting leave does not equate to authorisation and, as previously stated, authorisation is extremely unlikely except in the most unusual circumstances.
Please ask in the office for a form to officially request leave.
Absences add up
Regular and punctual attendance at school is a legal requirement under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996. Under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996, an offence occurs if a parent/carer fails to secure a child’s regular attendance at the school, at which they are a registered pupil, and the absence is not authorised by the school.
Payment of a penalty notice is £120 within 28 days, with a reduction to £60 if paid within 21 days. If payment is not received within 28 days, the Local Authority will consider prosecution for the unauthorised absence.
Missing two days a month means a child misses 10% of the school year.
If parents take their children away during term time, then they are making a choice to deny them their education. Parents who do so are at risk of a fine or court action which could give you a criminal record. The children concerned could even lose their place at the school.
