We aim for an environment which enables and encourages all members of the community to reach out for excellence. For our children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly and children should be at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. This school has good records of attendance and our attendance policy sets out additional information about how school and parents can work together to maintain this.

Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning. Any pupil’s absence disrupts teaching routines so may affect the learning of others in the same class. Ensuring children’s regular attendance at school is the legal responsibility of parents and permitting absence from school without a good reason creates an offence in law and may result in prosecution. Helping to create a pattern of regular attendance is everybody’s responsibility - parents, pupils and all members of school staff.

We thank all of our families who do their very best to arrange any absence from school so that it doesn’t affect their child’s education.  Children’s attendance in our school is generally very good/excellent.  After discussions with our Governing Body, we have reviewed our Attendance Policy and procedures and have updated it in line with the latest Lancashire County Council guidance.  Our updated Attendance Policy, and supporting documents can also be found on this page for your attention.  Within the policy, you will see that we have clarified the options available to school with regards to requests for absence.  In line with many other schools nationally, we have updated within the policy our intention to implement the option to issue Penalty Notices (£120 per parent per child), if needed.  Over the next 12 months we will monitor requests for absence to determine the reasons why absences are being taken, and try to address any trends found.

Our current target for whole school attendance this year is 96%, but we hope that all pupils will strive to achieve 100% attendance if they can.

Any requests for absence must be made by completing the ‘Application for leave of Absence’ form, shown on this page. This form is also available from the school office upon request.  As previously, all efforts will be made to work alongside families who request leave in advance, and who provide clear information as to why the term time absence is unavoidable.  We continue to be very grateful to everyone who does their very best to plan their holiday around our term dates, and feel sure that with your support we will rarely need to implement the options available to us. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Clayton.

Absence Procedures:

These procedures are detailed within the school's Attendance Policy. 

If your child is going to be absent, parents/carers must inform school as soon as possible, and at the latest by 9.30 am on the first day of absence. Please do this either by phone or call into school and report to reception.

If a child is absent school will:

• Telephone parents as soon as possible after registers close on the first day of absence, unless the absence has already been reported by parents.;
• Invite parents/carers in to discuss the situation with our in-school Attendance Lead and/or Headteacher if absences persist;
• Refer the matter to the Local Authority School Attendance Team where appropriate as per Local Authority protocol.