Attendance and Punctuality
Every Day Counts and being on time means not missing out
We want every Holmleigh child to gain full benefit from the learning opportunities and experiences and to meet their full potential. Regular attendance is an important factor in a child’s academic success. When pupils are frequently absent, it is difficult for them to keep up with their school work and this could affect their life chances.
Attendance
Illness
If your child is absent from school due to illness, it is important that you contact the school on the first day of the absence either by email (admin@holmleigh.hackney.sch.uk) or telephone (0208 8027420). If this continues for more than one day, you should make contact with the school on a daily basis to keep us updated. A letter should also be brought in upon their return, together with medical evidence to confirm reason for absence.
Medical Appointments
Where possible, medical appointments should be arranged outside school hours. If a child needs to be taken out of school for medical appointments, the school is required to evidence appointment letters.
Absence During Term Time
As a school, we do not authorise any requests for children to be taken out of school for a holiday during term time. Requests for leave can only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and a holiday would not be considered exceptional.
Any absence should be requested in advance and in writing to Miss Boateng, Headteacher explaining the reason for absence. Parents will also be asked to complete a form and provide documents to confirm reasons for absence.
Parents may receive a penalty notice if their child is absent from school without permission.
We appreciate the challenges that some parents face when booking holidays, particularly during the school holidays. However, regular attendance at school is vital in helping children and young people to achieve their full potential and get the best possible start in life.
Punctuality
The school gates open at 8.50am and all children should be in the playground ready for the morning exercise at 8.55. We will close the gates on Holmleigh Road at 9.00am. Please make every effort to arrive at school on time. If your child arrives later than 9:00, please report to the Main Reception Office. You will be asked to sign in and give a reason.
If your child arrives late for class:
They miss out on important learning, which could affect their achievement.
They don’t have the social time to settle into class.
It can be embarrassing for them.
They may disrupt the learning of the rest of the class.
Collecting Children From School
It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure children are collected on time and being late is often very distressing for the child/ren concerned.
Children at our school are collected at different times depending on whether or not they attend clubs. The details are given below.
- If your child is not in a club then they should be collected at 3:30pm promptly.
- If your child is in a club that ends before 6pm, they should be collected at the specified time.
- If your child attends Holmleigh Afterschool Care Club, they should be collected by 6pm.
The school accepts that a variety of emergency situations can arise due to unforeseen circumstances and we ask that parents notify us as soon as the situation arises.
Children who have not been collected promptly will be taken to the reception area and their late collection will be kept on record. Persistent late collection will incur a charge and parents may be referred to Children’s Social Care Services.
Attendance Policy
