Absence and First Call
Policy for Attendance and Punctuality - Click
Attendance Ladder - Click
Punctuality Graph - Click
Information on Penalty Notices and Fixed Fines - Click
Is my child well enough to come to school?
This link from the NHS can help you consider whether your child could be in school. In addition, the following NHS link provides some really useful information about keeping children healthy - Healthier Together.
Leave of Absence
Reigate Priory Junior School firmly believes that all children benefit from regular school attendance. A full and uninterrupted presence gives children the opportunity fulfil their academic and social potential but also contributes significantly to establishing a positive learning and work ethic.
The school recognises the importance of school holidays for children to rest, recuperate and enjoy spending quality time together as a family. However, term time is for learning therefore it is not acceptable for children to miss school.
As parents, you have a legal responsibility to ensure your child’s attendance at school.
During the academic year, pupils are at school for 190 days and at home for 175 days.
Please be aware that The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Headteacher is also required to determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted.
Please complete and submit this form if you want the Headteacher to consider your request for your child’s leave of absence for exceptional circumstances. We may ask for proof to validate your request.
Unauthorised absence of 5 days or more may result in the issue of a Penalty Notice.
Penalty Notices are issued by the Local Authority in accordance with Surrey County Council’s Code of Conduct. The Penalty Notice is £60, per child per parent/carer, if paid within 21 days or £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in the Local Authority considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
The Headteacher will consider the reasons for the request carefully and will notify you of the decision.
For further information, please refer to our Attendance and Punctuality Policy above.
Request for Leave of Absence form - Click
Dental and Medical Treatments
Whilst the school will grant requests for absence for dental and medical treatments, parents/carers are encouraged, whenever possible, to book medical and dental appointments outside of the school day.
When appointments during school hours are unavoidable, the school office should be notified in advance in writing, of the date and time of the appointment and when the child will be collected and/or returned to school. Evidence of the appointment may be requested.
An adult, preferably a parent or carer, is required to collect and sign the child out/or in at the School Reception.
First Call
It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to inform the school by 9.00am if a child will be absent for any reason. This communication can be via email, phone call, letter or in person at the School Office. Parents of children who are not accounted for in our registers or no communication has been received to explain absence, will be contacted to determine the child’s whereabouts in the morning of the first absence.
