Attendance
Blenheim Primary School is committed to ensuring that children receive an education that they are entitled to. In order to make this happen, we have exceptionally high standards when it comes to attendance and punctuality and fully expect parents/ carers to support the school in making sure that all children arrive in school every day and on time.
As a school, we celebrate children’s successful attendance through:
- daily class attendance certificates for 100% attendance and punctuality;
- weekly assemblies celebrating excellent attendance, tracking the attendance across the year with a yearly winning class prize;
- weekly class prizes for individual pupils with 100% attendance and punctuality our Attendance HERO
- pupil certificates for high attendance at key points of the year.
- Letters of praise and thanks to the parents.
What constitutes excellent attendance?
We have created this document for you here which explains the different stages and categories of attendance including what absence this amounts to overtime.
What should I do if my child is unwell?
If your child is unwell, please contact the school office on 01689 819 955 and follow the automated service. Alternatively, you can text the school via Arbor, via the App or email admin@blenheim.info
Please note that it is essential you contact the school on the first and every subsequent day of absence. Failure to do so will result in a home-visit by the school or welfare check by the Police.
What should I do if my child is going to be late?
Every effort should be made to ensure that children are in school for the start of the school day. Should there be an occasion that your child is going to be late in school, please contact the main office via telephone 01689 819955 to explain the reason for your child’s lateness. When arriving to school, please report to the main office, providing reason and clarification as to why your child is late. Please provide any evidence (i.e. medical/appointment). Without supporting evidence, any absence through lateness after registers are closed will be marked as unauthorised and will affect your child’s attendance record.
What should I do if I need to take my child out of school early or for a sustained period of time?
Taking children out of school should be seen as a last resort and alternative provision should be exhausted before taking the option to take your child out of the school day or for long periods of time. Please make sure you speak with the Principal should there be circumstances where this may need to happen.
Authorised absence is granted only in exceptional circumstances and can only be granted by Ms Incoom. In order to request exceptional circumstances, please complete the form (within the attendance policy, Appendix E, page 29 & 30 and include any supporting documents which support that it is an exceptional circumstance. This information may be reviewed by the Bromley Education Welfare Team to support Ms Incoom in her ability to grant the authorised leave.
Schools are not permitted to and will not authorise any term-time holidays.
What happens if my child’s attendance goes below 96% or punctuality becomes a concern?
Whilst we understand children do genuinely have childhood illnesses, this is taken into consideration when agreeing to authorise up to 4% absence due to ill health or appointments. If your child’s attendance falls below this level – steps will be followed to support your child’s return to school and in some cases, Bromley Educational Welfare will be alerted. After investigation, this could result in a Penalty Charge Notice and/or prosecution through the Magistrates court for failing to ensure regular school attendance of your child under Section 444 Education Act 1996, and a fine issued of up to £2500 and/or 3 months in prison.
Who should I contact if I have any concerns regarding attendance?
Should you have any questions regarding attendance then please do not hesitate to contact Ms Incoom, Principal, Mrs Blendell, our attendance officer or Mrs Hagues our Family Worker, who will be happy to discuss your child’s attendance with you.