At Goodrich CE Primary school starts at 8:45 and finishes at 3:15pm (KS1) or 3:30pm (KS2) 

You can find more information about our breakfast clubs/after school clubs by contacting the school office 01600 890244. 

 

Why Attendance Matters 

Every day in school matters. 

Good attendance helps children to: 

• Achieve their academic potential. 

• Develop friendships and a sense of belonging. 

• Build confidence and resilience. 

• Access clubs, trips and enrichment opportunities. 

• Develop positive habits that support future success. 

Our aspiration is for every pupil to achieve 100% attendance, although we recognise that illness and exceptional circumstances can sometimes affect attendance. 

What We Ask of Parents and Carers 

We ask all families to: 

• Ensure their child attends school every day they are well enough to do so. 

• Ensure their child arrives on time and is ready to learn. 

• Maintain good bedtime and morning routines. 

• Talk positively about school and take an interest in their child's learning. 

• Arrange appointments outside school hours wherever possible. 

• Avoid taking holidays during term time. 

• Contact us promptly if attendance becomes difficult for any reason. 

Reporting Absence

If your child is too unwell to attend school, please:

• Contact the school before 8:45am each day of absence.
• Provide the reason for absence.
• Keep us updated if the absence continues.

For guidance on common illnesses, please visit the NHS website: Is My Child Too ILL?

Many minor illnesses do not require children to stay at home and, where appropriate, we will support pupils in school if they feel unwell during the day [insert school specific support].

 

Medical Appointments

Please arrange routine medical and dental appointments outside school hours when possible. If this is not possible, your child should attend school before and after the appointment wherever they can.

 

Leave During Term Time

Leave of absence during term time can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. Any requests should be submitted in advance using the school's Exceptional Leave of Absence Form, which is included in this letter. You will be notified of the outcome via letter. Family holidays will not normally be authorised. Without the completion of this form, parental signature/s and dated, your request will not be considered, and your child will automatically be recorded as an unauthorised absentee on a different code than if you have applied. In some cases, this may lead to a referral to Herefordshire Council requesting the issue of a penalty notice. See below for more information about fixed penalty notices.

Information on Fixed Penalty Notices

Unauthorised absence from school is an offence under s444 of the Education Act 1996. When a school becomes aware that the national threshold for Unauthorised absence has been met, they must consider whether to refer to Herefordshire Council to request the issue of a penalty notice. A penalty fine is an opportunity for the parent to settle out of court. If a penalty notice is not paid, parents can be prosecuted for the offence of failing to ensure their child’s regular attendance.

Penalty notice fines are issued to each parent, for each child that was absent. For example: 3 siblings absent for Unauthorised absences, would result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines. In education law, anyone who lives with a child and who has day-to-day care of the child is also considered to be a parent whether they are biological parent or not. For example, this will include step-parents and partners.

Penalty notice fines are considered when there have been 10 sessions (5 days) of Unauthorised absence in a 10-week period. These sessions can be consecutive (e.g. 10 sessions of holiday in one week) or not (e.g. 6 sessions of Unauthorised absence taken in 1 week and 1 per week for the next 4 weeks). If in an individual case Herefordshire Council believes a penalty notice would be appropriate; they retain the discretion to issue one before the threshold is met.

First offence - The first time a penalty notice is issued the amount will be £160 per parent, per child, paid within 28 days, this is reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.

Second offence (within 3 years) - The second time a penalty notice is issued the amount

will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days and there will be no offer of a reduction in rate.

 

Third offence and any further offences (within 3 years)- The third time an offence is committed for Unauthorised absences a penalty notice will not be issued. The local authority will instead consider other legal options to improve attendance, and this could include prosecution. If prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court is deemed appropriate, fines can be up to £2500.

Further information can be found:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to[1]improve-school-attendance

and Penalty Notice - Herefordshire Local Code of Conduct 2024

 

How We Will Support Families

We understand that attendance can sometimes be affected by health, wellbeing, SEND needs, family circumstances, or other challenges.

If attendance becomes a concern, our approach will always be to:

• Listen and understand any barriers.
• Work together with pupils and families.
• Put support in place where needed.
• Seek additional help from relevant services when appropriate.

Please contact us as early as possible if you are experiencing difficulties. Early discussions often help prevent concerns from becoming more significant.

Important Information

Please ensure you have read:

• The school's Attendance Policy: [website link]
• School start and finish times: School Start is 8:45am. Finish is 3:15am (KS1) or 3:30pm (KS2)
• Term dates and INSET days: [website link] or the school app
• Procedures for reporting absence