Families have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly. While 100% attendance is ideal, we understand that children may occasionally be unwell, and absences due to genuine illness are acceptable. As a school, we carefully monitor attendance and will notify families if their child’s attendance begins to decline. Should attendance continue to drop, you may be invited to a meeting with the attendance officer and potentially the Headteacher to discuss how we can provide additional support. If attendance does not improve, penalty notices may be considered, and involvement from Southwark Social Care may follow. If your child has an ongoing medical need, it’s important that you inform the school and provide information from medical professionals so that the school can support you with the child’s care.

Term-time holidays

Families are strongly discouraged from taking holidays during term time, as this significantly impacts children’s learning. Absences during term time will only be authorised by the Headteacher in exceptional circumstances. Please note that families who take unauthorised term-time holidays may be fined.

Penalty Notices

Penalty notices may be issued in the following situations:

• Term-time holidays

• Unauthorised absences totaling 5 school days (within 10 school weeks)

If your child is genuinely unwell, penalty fines will not apply.

‍Details of Penalties

First Offence
A penalty notice is issued to each parent for each child who was absent: £60 if paid within 21 days, £120 if paid between 21 and 28 days

‍Second Offence
If another penalty notice is issued within three years:£160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days

‍Third Offence
If a third penalty notice is issued within three years, legal action may be taken:Fines of up to £2,500 per parent, per childPlease take the time to read our attendance and punctuality policy
Attendance and Punctuality Policy

‍You can learn more about our attendance expectations by clicking here.

‍Punctuality

School start time

‍The school gates open at 8:30 am and lessons begin at 8:45 am.

‍Finishing times

• Reception and Year 1 finish their school day at 3:15 pm totalling 32.5 hours per week.
• Years 2 and 4 finish at 3:20 pm totalling just under 33 hours a week.
• Year 3 and 5 finishes at 3:25 pm totalling just over 33 hours a week.
• Year 6 finishes at 3:30 pm totalling just over 33 hours a week.

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