Attendance, Punctuality and Emergency Procedures

PUPIL ABSENCE

If your child is absent from school, you must inform the office by phone on the first day of absence before 9.30am and send a brief note of explanation for our school records. This is to ensure your child's safety. You can either call the school office (01268 450067) and leave a message on our absence line (option 1) or email parents@ghyllgrove.essex.sch.uk

Government guidelines lay down that any absences, which are unexplained, are regarded as unauthorised and the child is judged as being truant from school. The number of authorised and unauthorised absences will be recorded on your child's annual report.

Any pattern of unexplained absences will be followed up.

FIRST DAY CALLING

It is a parent/carer's responsibility to contact the school before 9.30am. if their child is unable to attend school.  The school office contacts parents on the first day of absence if no reason for absence has been communicated to the school before 9.30am.

HOLIDAYS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN DURING TERM TIME. If the only time you can get leave of absence from your employer is during term time, then you need to apply to the school for permission to take your child away on holiday. If you wish to take more than two weeks holiday in any one school year, then you will need to seek permission from the Governing Body. Holiday forms should be completed on all occasions. Please complete the Leave of Absence form below and return to parents@ghyllgrove.essex.sch.uk along with a supporting letter clearly marked with your child's name and class. Please avoid taking school holidays during SATs examination when your child is in Year 6.

LATENESS

Punctuality is important. It is a responsibility that should be developed in your child to help them prepare for adult life.

Late arrivals interfere with the smooth running of our classes, and with your child's learning as the teacher has to stop what she/he is doing and re-explain the morning's work. This is not a good use of what is already a limited amount of time available for education for all our children. Please support your child.