Attendance and Absence

Research clearly demonstrates the link between regular school attendance and educational progress and attainment. We expect all children registered at our school to attend every day, on time, unless the absence is unavoidable. Every day counts!


Aims

  • We work with families to ensure children have the highest possible levels of attendance and punctuality - we will listen, empathise and support with attendance
  • We ensure all children have full and equal access to the best education we offer
  • We make sure parents/carers are aware of their legal responsibilities

Parents who aim high

  • Prioritise school attendance
  • Ensure their child(ren) attend school whenever they are well enough to do so
  • Ensure their child(ren) arrive on time and ready for the day ahead
  • Always notifies us if their child is too unwell to come to school
  • Bring their child(ren) to school before and after appointments, if they have to take place during school time
  • Discuss attendance concerns with us


If you have any concerns or questions regarding attendance, please talk to Mrs Kane or Mrs Daniels on the school gate or contact the office via email to make an appointment.


Please visit our policies page to read our Attendance Policy and click below for more information on the following attendance topics:

  • Illness

    If your child is too unwell to attend school, please keep us informed. We have a safeguarding duty of care for all our children and attendance forms part of this.


    If your child is absent, please contact the school as soon as possible on the first day of absence and let us know. You can do this by:

    • telephoning the school and leaving a message on Option 1 for the school absence answerphone. The telephone number is 01945 584867
    • by emailing the school office at office@clarkson.cambs.sch.uk
    • completing our website contact page here 

    Always include the child's name, class and reason for absence.

  • Appointments

    Routine medical or dental appointments should be made outside of school hours or in the holidays. If appointments during school are unavoidable, the school should be notified in advance and the absence should only be for the duration of the appointment and your child should attend for the rest of the day. An appointment card or letter to support your child’s absence will be required. A Term-Time Leave Request form must also be completed. These are available from the school office or in the foyer at the front of school.

  • Term-time Leave

    Holidays during term time are actively discouraged. The current regulations from the Department for Education say that Headteachers may not give permission for leave of absence during term time for any reason, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Parents must apply in advance for permission for any leave of absence via the completion of a Term-Time Leave Request form. These are available from the school office or in the foyer at the front of school.