Attendance and Punctuality
Our attendance target for 2023-2024 is 97% whole school attendance
Regular school attendance is vital for children to make good progress and to benefit from the opportunities that school offers.
Absence
On occasion, your child may be too unwell to attend school.
It is vital that you contact school before 9:00am if your child is unable to attend. This can be done via phone, email or the Parent Hub app.
If we have not received an explanation for your child’s absence by 9am then we will:
- Contact you by phone.
And / or
- Visit your home.
Please note, if your child has been absent for 3 days we may visit your home.
If we have concerns regarding your child’s school attendance we will:
- Send you a letter.
If there is insufficient improvement we will:
- Invite you to an Attendance Support Plan meeting. We will then continue to closely monitor your child’s attendance.
If there continues to be insufficient improvement we will:
- Issue you with an Education Penalty Notice Warning letter, which could result in you receiving a fine.
Or
- Make a referral to the Education Welfare Officer.
Punctuality
The classroom doors open at 8:25am and close at 8:30am. Lessons start at 8:30am prompt.
Please therefore ensure that your child is at school by 8:25am each day.
If your child is late to school it can be very unsettling and disruptive for them. Your child would also miss out on vital learning.
We may write to you, contact you by phone, or invite you to school for a meeting if we have concerns regarding your child’s punctuality.
Rewards
Children and classes with good attendance are rewarded in school.
The class with the highest attendance for the week are celebrated in assembly, and receive a certificate and stickers.
At the end of each term children with attendance over 100% attendance for that term receive a certificate.
Attendance challenges are also held throughout the year.
Term time Leave of Absence
If you plan to take your child out of school during term time, we ask that you complete a Leave of Absence form, available from the school office.
School does not authorise term time Leave of Absence or holiday requests. Should you take your child out of school for a holiday or Leave of Absence, then the council may issue you will a fixed penalty notice of £60 per parent per child.
If your child is absent from school for more than two weeks, then a referral will be made to the Attendance and Pupil Welfare Service, which may result in your child losing their school place.
Medical appointments
Where possible, please ensure that all medical appointments are arranged for after school or in the school holidays. Where this is unavoidable it is important that your child attends school before their appointment and returns to school following their appointment. Please show evidence of the child’s appointment at the school office.
Education Welfare Service
Lakeside Primary Academy work closely with the allocated Education Welfare Officer from Doncaster City Council.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance:
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance or require any support to improve your child’s attendance then please contact the school office to speak to our Attendance Officer / Family Support Manager.
Doncaster Council Attendance and Pupil Welfare service provide lots of information here
Helpful information - see below