Research has shown that there is a close link between attendance at school and a child’s achievement. Being late results in a loss of learning. If your child is 5 minutes late every day, this amounts to the same as being absent for 2 weeks a year:
At Marcham, the school day starts at 8:45 a.m. and we expect your child to be in class at that time. Doors open at 8:35am.
Registers are marked by 8.50 a.m. and your child will receive a late mark if they are not in by that time.
At 9:15 a.m. the registers will be closed, in accordance with the Regulations, if your child arrives after that time they will receive a mark that shows them to be on site, but this will not count as a present mark and it will mean they have an unauthorised absence. This is not meant to be punitive - because every minute in school counts - but meant to encourage parents to ensure that their children come to school on time.
Absences
On 1st September 2013, changes were made to the law regarding child absence from school. The amendments made clear that headteachers should not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. These do not include annual family holidays or long weekends.
If your child is absent from school, please telephone the school as soon as possible, ideally within 30 minutes of the start of the school day. It is a County Council requirement that a note of explanation is written on their return to school. These are held on record and help us with our Government attendance returns. If your child has an appointment at hospital, clinic etc. please let us know in advance. You may then collect him/her from the main entrance.
Unauthorised absences (those for which no reason is given) have to be recorded and reported to parents annually and details are given in the school’s prospectus.
Children are not allowed to leave the school premises unaccompanied at any time during the school day unless we have received prior notification from the parent. Children in the Foundation Stage must have written permission to go home with someone else at the end of the school day.
Medical
If your child has a serious or recurring medical problem, please inform the school as soon as possible – preferably on admission to school, so his/her particular needs can be discussed and catered for.
It is not usually possible for us to administer medication in school. If your child needs to receive any medical treatment you may come into school to administer the medicine yourself. Please refer to the school’s Managing Medicines in School policy which can be found on the school’s website or requested from the school office.
Children who suffer from asthma or a severe allergy and need to carry inhalers are an exception to this rule. Inhalers should be clearly labelled with the child’s name and given to the class teacher (if appropriate) for safekeeping. Written details should be registered at the school office.
Illness in school
If staff suspect illness, parents will be contacted by telephone to collect their child. We will, of course, care for and monitor your child closely until you arrive.
If a serious accident occurs we will contact you straight away should we think that hospital treatment may be necessary. If we are unable to contact you it may be necessary to act “in loco parentis” and arrange this ourselves, whilst of course continuing to try to reach you.