Attendance

Primrose Lane Primary School seeks to ensure that all its pupils receive an education which enables them to reach their full potential. There is a strong link between good attendance and increased attainment. Pupils who regularly attend school make much better progress socially and academically. Regular attendance enables pupils to adapt better to routines, schoolwork, and friendship groups.

We aim to work in partnership with families and other agencies to ensure that every child can get the best out of the educational opportunities provided.  We ensure that we have clear and robust strategies in place to manage and promote regular attendance for all students at Primrose Lane Primary School

Further information can be found in our Attendance Policy. 

Please can we ask that during the school terms, you ensure that no trips or events are planned in school time. This will allow for your child’s attendance to remain within permissible limits and avoid intervention from the Local Authority attendance management team.

Since changes to government legislation in 2013, schools are no longer allowed to authorise requests for children to be taken out of school for a holiday during term time. 

Leave of Absence Form

Requests for leave can only be granted by schools if there are exceptional circumstances, and holidays are not considered exceptional. 

Requests for leave must be made to the school Head teacher by completing this form

Reporting Absence 

A child's absence from school is considered a safeguarding matter. If you child is to be absent from school please contact the school office as soon as possible. 

If your child is absent from school we will: 

• Telephone or text you on the first day of absence if we have not heard from you, this is because we have a duty to ensure your child’s safety as well as their regular school attendance.  
• Click here for NHS guidance for diarrhoea and vomiting which requires you to stay off school until you have not been sick for 48 hours. 
• We may refer the matter to the Leeds City Council School Attendance Service if absence falls below 90% (Appendix two: school based interventions)
• If we believe that your child is absent due to a holiday you may be issued with a penalty notice. 

Is my child too ill for school?

It can be difficult to determine if your child is too unwell for school. If your child has a temperature they should not attend school. However, if they have mild cold symptoms, such as a sore throat, sniffles or sneezes, they can still attend school. 

AUTHORISED ABSENCE IS DEFINED AS:

• Genuine illness
• Medical or dental appointment (routine appointments should be arranged out of school time)
• Bereavement – (Headteacher’s discretion)
• Religious observance (no more than 2 days per academic year)
• Approved leave in term time where there are exceptional circumstances, as agreed by the Headteacher.

UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE IS DEFINED AS:

• Holidays in term time (following the Department for Education’s Guidelines)
• Absence in term time where permission has not been given by the school in accordance with the A.R.M Cluster Attendance Policy. This means that parents/ carers do not have the right to take their child out of school during term time.
• Late, after the registers have closed (a ‘U’ code will be used)
• Any absence that the school has not been informed of by letter or by telephone;
• Unexplained absence. Any child whose absence is on-going and remains unexplained for an extended period (10 days) will be referred to the local authority as a child missing education (CME)
• Taking the rest of the day off before or after a medical appointment.
• Staying at home to care for younger children or sick relatives;
• Going shopping or having a haircut;
• Birthdays, Weddings or Anniversaries;
• Transport issues e.g. car broken down;
• Travelling to airport to meet relatives/friends;
• Translating
• Visiting sick relatives