Colebrook Junior School

Working Together to achieve Success

Towcester Road, Swindon,
Wiltshire SN3 4AS

01793 823 057

Attendance
At Colebrook Junior School we seek to ensure that all its pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise his/her true potential.  The school will strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment, whereby each member of the school community feels wanted and secure. School attendance is crucially important for children and young people’s education, their wellbeing, their safety, and their future prospects. It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure that their child attends school regularly.  Whilst some absence from school is unavoidable, it is vital that all students strive to be in school every day.

 

We appreciate that sometimes getting children to school isn't always easy, for instance, your child might be worried or anxious and is refusing to go to school. This is also a worrying time for parents and carers. Please do contact us and talk to us about any concerns you or your child may have about coming to school. We are here to support you. 

 

Why is Attendance important?

Research has shown that regular attendance and good punctuality are crucial factors in students achieving their full potential in education. For this reason, if a child is absent, we work closely with families to encourage attendance to be as high as possible as parental support is absolutely crucial.

Department of Education statistics show that of pupils who missed between 10% and 20% of school, only 35% manage to go on to achieve five good GCSE’s. This compares with 73% of pupils with over 95% attendance.

 

 

Punctuality

The school gates open at 8.15 a.m. and the school day begins at 8.25 a.m. Learning starts as soon as the children enter the classroom with early morning tasks. It is therefore essential that the children arrive promptly and are ready to start the day with their peers.  Should children arrive at school after 8.30, then they must enter the building via the School Reception and will be marked as late. Registers close at 8.40 a.m. and arrival after this time, without prior approval or extenuating circumstances, will be recorded as unauthorised. 

Look at the document below to see how being late by just a few minutes, adds up across the academic year. 

What should I do if my child is unwell?

If your child is too ill to attend school, then please contact the school office on the first day of absence.  You can do this by telephone on 01793 823057 and leaving a message on the absence line or via email admin@colebrook-jun.swindon.sch.uk  

Coughs and common colds are not normally a reason for absence from school. If you’re unsure whether or not your child should attend, we suggest bringing them in and speaking with their class teacher or with the school office. We can always call home if they feel unwell later in the day. You can also find further advice about when children should or should not attend school on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

When should my child return to school?

After periods of sickness and diarrhoea, children should not return to school for 48 hours after the last bout. This helps to prevent the spread of infection. In the case of other contagious illnesses, please contact the school office who can advise of recommended return periods based on health guidelines.

What about medical appointments?

We ask that parents make appointments for dentists, routine doctors’ visits, etc. outside of school hours. In circumstances where this is not possible, such as hospital visits, please let the school office know in advance.

How can I request time off for other absences?

Headteachers are only allowed to authorise other absence from school in exceptional circumstances. Absence for family holidays or days out will not normally be approved. If there are exceptional circumstances or for educational purposes, then please contact the Headteacher via email, giving your reasons and providing suitable evidence of the exceptional need. The request will then be considered by the headteacher.If the absence is not approved, but your child is not in school on the requested days, then this will be treated as an unauthorised absence.

How does the school monitor attendance?

In circumstances where a child’s attendance falls below 95% (approximately 3 days off per term), we will monitor attendance to ensure that it is improved over time. In cases where attendance falls below 90% (6 days off per term), we will contact you to inform you of our concerns. We will of course, look at the reasons for absence and patterns of absences. 

In some cases, the headteacher may request that any future absence is supported by evidence (such as a doctor’s appointment card for illnesses).

We have a day specifically set aside for a religious observance. What should I do?

Please contact the school on 01793 823057 or via email BEFORE the observation, so that the necessary arrangements can be made.