Regular attendance at school is essential if our pupils are to make the most of the vast and wide-ranging experiences and opportunities that school provides; and is essential to ensure each and every pupil is able to access their full educational entitlement and achieve well academically. At Levens CE School we work closely with pupils and parents to encourage all pupils to attend school regularly and be punctual for the start of the school day.
What does the DfE say about attendance?
Central to raising standards in education and ensuring all pupils can fulfil their potential is an assumption so widely understood that it is insufficiently stated – pupils need to attend school regularly to benefit from their education. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind. Children with poor attendance tend to achieve less in both primary and secondary school.
The government expects:
- Schools and local authorities to:
- Promote good attendance and reduce absence, including persistent absence;
- Ensure every pupil has access to full-time education to which they are entitled; and,
- act early to address patterns of absence.
- Parents to perform their legal duty by ensuring their children of compulsory school age who are registered at school attend regularly.
- All pupils to be punctual to their lessons.
Further information about our attendance policy can be found here:
Attendance Policy – Westmorland and Furness Council
Request for absence is discouraged, but if you need to take your child out of school for any length of time, parents/carers must complete a ‘Leave of Absence Request Form’ (found below) at least 14 days prior to the intended absence. The form should explain the reasons why the absence is necessary. Requests will only be authorised if the circumstances are exceptional and meet the requirements outlined in our attendance policy. Holidays in term time will not be authorised and further action may be taken, potentially leading to a penalty notice or prosecution.
Parents/Carers will be informed of the outcome of the request in writing within 14 days of said request.