Attendance is an essential component to a student’s academic success. Often, the number of days that students are absent accumulates without parents realising how many days have been missed.

At Moor Row Primary School, we have high expectations of school attendance.

Within school, students are learning important social skills as well as ensuring they are able to progress as much as possible in the academic aspect of their education.

The National Average for attendance is 95%, At Moor Row Primary we strive for all students to achieve at least 95% attendance throughout the academic year.

Moor Row Primary School believes sincerely that all pupils benefit from the education we provide and regular school attendance. Within our attendance policy we have the aims of:

Improving pupil’s achievement by ensuring high levels of attendance & punctuality.

Achieve a minimum of 95% attendance for all children apart from those with chronic health issues.

Create an ethos in which good attendance is recognised as the norm and seen to be valued by the school.

Authorised absence is when a child is sick/needs to attend a dental or medical appointment/family emergency.

Unauthorised absences are those not deemed an acceptable reason for missed school e.g. Day trips/ Holidays in term time (not – agreed)

The expectations from parents relating to attendance is detailed in our school policy:

Ensure your child attends every day unless genuine reason for absence.

Ensure your child is not late for school.

Contact school before 9:00a.m. on 1st day of absence & regularly thereafter.

Make appointments at the end of the school day.

The Headteacher is allowed discretion to consider authorising a leave of absence in term time in ‘exceptional circumstances’ only. Family holidays and visiting relatives are NOT considered to be an exceptional circumstance so will not be authorised.

Parents & Carers MUST complete a ‘holiday request form’ outlining in writing the ‘exceptional circumstances’ if requesting a leave of absence. This must be done at least 1 week prior to the absence/holiday.

All unauthorised absences, including holidays that have not been sanctioned by the Headteacher, are accumulated and parents who fail to ensure regular attendance of their children at school can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. From August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. For further information, please click here.

We fully understand that illness cannot be helped but we ask that every child & parent help work with us to achieve our target of 95% attendance.

The chart below demonstrates the importance of having your child attend school.