At Lionel Walden Primary School, we expect all children on roll to attend, when the school is in session, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to do so.
Children need to be in school every day in order to fulfil their potential. At Lionel Walden Primary School, we do all that we can to encourage children to attend and put into place appropriate procedures to support attendance when necessary.
We believe that the most important factor in promoting good attendance is the development of positive attitudes towards school. To this end, we strive to make our school a happy and rewarding experience for all children. We will also make the best provision we can for those children who, for whatever reason, are prevented from coming to school.
Excellent attendance really does make a difference to the experience a child gets at school. Missed days means missed learning, and often children find it harder when they return due to this. We appreciate that illness cannot be avoided, but we follow county guidance regarding holidays and will not authorise holidays in term time.
The school day for children begins at 8:45 am and ends at 3:15 pm. The school gates will open at 8:35 am to allow a prompt start to the day. Registers will close at 8:55 am and after such time children will be marked as late. Lateness can disrupt the start of the day for a child and we strongly encourage punctuality to ensure the best start for your child. If you find getting your child to school on time difficult, then please reach out to us for advice and support.
As a parent or carer you are strongly urged to avoid leave of absence from school during term time. Should this be absolutely unavoidable, you should complete this form and return it to the School Office prior to the absence.
The Government implemented new legislation that came into effect from September 2013 which means that schools may only authorise leave of absence in exceptional circumstances.
A parent or carer does not have any right to leave of absence during term time and, if your request is refused, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. This could result in legal action being taken or a Penalty Notice being issued by the Local Authority.
Any parent who takes a child out of school for term time leave for 6 consecutive sessions (3 days) or more, not authorised by the school (under exceptional circumstances rule), may receive a Penalty Notice. A Penalty Notice involves a fine of £60 per child, per parent/carer, if paid within 21 days, rising to £120 per child, per parent/carer if paid between 21 – 28 days.
Should a parent or carer on whom a notice is served fail to pay the full amount of the fine within the specified time, he/she will be liable for prosecution in a Magistrates Court where, on conviction, a fine of up to £2,500 or up to three months in prison may be imposed. Penalty Notices may only be served with the terms of the County Council’s local Code of Conduct, a copy of which is retained by the school.
Should leave of absence be taken after permission has been withheld, then this will be recorded as unauthorised absence. This will appear both in the school register and in your child’s report. Persistent unauthorised absence may result in the involvement of the Local Authority Attendance Officer and possible legal proceedings.
If 3 or more term time leave Penalty Notices have been issued over a 3 year period then prosecution in relation to Section 444 Education Act 1996, may be considered as an alternative to a Penalty Notice fine being issued. Where a parent takes a child out of school during term time for an extended period (20 days or more), not authorised by the school, prosecution in relation to Section 444 Education Act 1996, may also be considered by the Local Authority.
