Reignhead Primary School

Attendance and Punctuality at Reignhead Primary School

 Dear Parents and Carers,

We would like to remind families about the importance of good attendance and punctuality at Reignhead Primary School. We understand that children are sometimes unwell and that family circumstances can make regular attendance difficult. Our aim is to work with families to remove barriers and help every child make the most of their education.

Every day matters

Regular attendance gives children the best opportunity to learn, make progress, see their friends and take part in school life.

Our school attendance target is at least 95%. Over a school year of around 190 days:

• 100% attendance = no days missed
• 95% attendance = around 10 days missed
• 90% attendance = around 19 days missed

The Department for Education defines persistent absence as missing 10% or more of school (19 days in a school year). We monitor attendance closely and will contact families when attendance begins to fall or a pattern of absence develops. We celebrate both good and improved attendance through certificates, assemblies, competitions, stickers and our Early Bird Spotlight Days.

Being on time

The school day starts at 8:50am. Children should arrive between 8:40am and 8:50am, ready to learn.

Arriving on time helps children settle quickly and start the day with their classmates. Children arriving after 8:50am must report to the school office and a late record will be completed.

If your child is unwell

If your child is too unwell to attend, please let us know by 8:50am on the first day of absence by calling 0114 247 5767 or emailing enquiries@reignhead.sheffield.sch.uk.

Please continue to keep us updated if the absence continues and let us know when you expect your child to return. Genuine illness will be authorised. If you are unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, please check the NHS guidance Is my child too ill for school? or contact us.

Medical and dental appointments

Where possible, please arrange appointments outside school hours. If an appointment during the school day is unavoidable, please let us know in advance and provide evidence.

Children should attend school before or after appointments wherever possible. For example, if an appointment is after 11:00am, your child should attend school first.

Holidays during term time

Holidays should be taken during school holidays. Term-time leave can only be authorised in specific circumstances, and family holidays will not normally be authorised.

If you believe there are exceptional circumstances, please complete a Leave of Absence Request Form and submit it to the Headteacher, ideally at least 20 days in advance.

Unauthorised term-time absence may result in a Penalty Notice Fine.

If attendance becomes a concern

If your child's attendance begins to fall, our first priority will be to understand why and offer support. Barriers may include illness, anxiety, SEND, family circumstances, transport difficulties or other challenges.

Support may include:

• A conversation with your child's teacher.
• Contact with our attendance team.
• An attendance support plan or attendance contract.
• Support from other professionals or services where appropriate.
• Regular reviews of attendance and progress.

Where attendance does not improve despite support, further action may be taken in line with Department for Education guidance and Sheffield City Council procedures. This may include a Notice to Improve, involvement from the Local Authority Attendance and Inclusion Team, a Penalty Notice or other legal intervention.

The national threshold for considering a Penalty Notice is 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10-school-week period. A session is a morning or afternoon.

Please talk to us early

We would much rather work with families to address a difficulty early than allow a small problem to become a bigger one. If something is affecting your child's ability to attend regularly, please contact our Attendance Champion, Liz Dunn, through the school office on 0114 247 5767 or enquiries@reignhead.sheffield.sch.uk

Working together

We ask families to:

• Make sure children attend school every day unless they are genuinely unable to.
• Make sure children arrive on time and ready to learn.
• Report absence by 8:50am.
• Arrange appointments outside school hours wherever possible.
• Take holidays during school holiday periods.
• Talk to us early if anything is affecting attendance.

Thank you for your continued support. By working together, we can help our children attend regularly, learn, enjoy time with their friends and make the most of every opportunity.

Every day really does count!

Kind regards,Reignhead Primary School