Attendance at Spilsby Primary Academy 

The school has high expectations in relation to pupils’ attendance. This is because for children to receive a wide education and achieve to their full potential, they must be at school regularly and on time. Government research shows that there is a strong link between regular school attendance and academic achievement. The Government advise that an attendance rate of less than 95%, in any one academic year, will have a detrimental effect on a child’s education.

If your child's attendance is less than 90%, you will receive an attendance letter. We do understand that children occasionally get poorly but we ask that you do your very best to encourage them into school and work with us if there is an issue or a longer term illness. Children who miss school regularly can very quickly fall behind  and begin to find keeping up with their work difficult. If you have any worries at all about attendance please do come and speak to us.

Illness

The school accepts that from time to time children become ill and are unable to attend school. In these situations, we ask parents to call the school office on a daily basis with an up-date on your child’s condition and, if possible, give an indication as to when you think your child will return to school. For minor illnesses such as coughs and colds, we encourage children to be brought to school.

NHS  - Is my child too ill for school guidance

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

Medical appointments

The school expects, where possible, that medical appointments should be scheduled for after school hours or to take place during school holidays

Lateness

Children who arrive at school late miss the vital teaching that begins the lesson and often struggle to grasp what is being taught. When a child arrives late for school they can find this very unsettling as it is not a good way to start their day. Where lateness is a recurring problem the child’s education will suffer. It is also disruptive for the other children in their class.

Holidays

From the 1st September 2013 changes were made to the law which relates to parents/carers taking their children on holiday during term time. The change in legislation indicates that Head Teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless they consider there to be exceptional circumstances. The amendment in the law removed all references to family holidays..

If you consider there are exceptional circumstances to support taking your child out of school a Request for Leave form should be completed and handed in at the school office. This must be supported by documentary evidence.

Absences during SAT’s and examination periods will not be authorised.

If the school are concerned about your child’s attendance rate you will be notified and the appropriate actions taken to improve this. 

The Requests for Leave must be completed and returned to the school office prior to the period of absence; please give the school as much notice as possible of your request. The application will be considered carefully and we will notify you of the school’s decision within 10 working days. We strongly advise that no leave of absence is booked prior to receiving a decision from the school.