Attendance & Absence

Children of school age who are registered at a school must, by law, attend that school regularly. Regular attendance is the best way of ensuring that a child makes the most of the educational opportunities which are available to him or her.

When a child is absent from school, he or she misses not only the teaching provided but is also less prepared for the lessons after his or her return: it can be very difficult for children to slot back into the lesson sequence. There are only 190 statutory school days in one year and each one of these days is important. Our attendance policy is clear that we teach right up to the end of term. Every school day matters.

In June 2013, amendments to the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 make it clear that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.  Should leave for exceptional circumstances be granted, headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school.

Term-time holidays will not be authorised, and the school is required to request a penalty notice from Cambridgeshire County Council where absence from school meets the Council's criteria.