Absence and Attendance
At Thomas A Becket Junior School we believe good attendance and punctuality are crucial to children’s learning and are vitally important in ensuring the best possible progress and achievement. Good punctuality ensures that children are ready and willing to learn. Regular attendance also improves children's social skills and raises their self-esteem.
Is my child too ill for school?
We know that as a parent it can be difficult to know whether or not your child is well enough for school. The DFE has shared a useful link from the NHS that can be helpful in knowing if your child should attend school or not with so many different childhood illnesses https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
What to do if your child is absent from school
Parents are responsible for informing the school of any absence. This must be on the first day of absence, ideally before 9:00am (and each subsequent day of absence) and advise school when they are expected to return.
Please telephone the school (01903 202268 or 206127) and speak to a member of staff, or leave a message on the school’s answering service (option 1) stating the nature of the illness and when the child is expected to return to school.
Absences from school
Only your child's school can authorise an absence from school. If you plan to take your child out of school during term time, the absence can only be authorised if it is considered that there are exceptional circumstance. At TAB we define exceptional circumstances as rare, significant, unavoidable and short. It is for the Headteacher to decide whether they consider the reasons given amount to exceptional circumstances. If your child is absent without good reason, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised on the school register.
If you do not ask for or get permission to take your child out of school and do so regardless, your child's absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
Taking holidays in term time
As leave of absence is only granted in exceptional circumstances, it is unlikely a leave of absence will be granted for the purposes of a family holiday.
Parents should complete an online form (please request a link from the school office) for any request for leave from learning. Any request should be submitted as soon as it is anticipated and in advance of the absence.
Being late for school
It is important your child arrives to school on time. If they are late and miss the register after it has been closed, it may be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
Attendance Matters - ‘Every Day Counts’
1 or 2 days a week doesn’t seem that much but…
Attendance Matters - ‘Every Minute Counts’
Making sure your child is at school and ready to learn BEFORE 8.40am (when the registers are taken).
Being 15 minutes late each day is the same as missing two weeks of school.
