Attendance
At Morelands we are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to give children the very best education and life chances.
Miss Poscotis
Attendance Champion
Mrs McGuinness
Attendance Officer
Mrs Appleford
Parent Liaison
Mr Bilbe
Headtecher
Did you know…
- Excellent attendance and punctuality routines start from the very first day of school. Children who are frequently absent are usually those who fall behind and find it harder to keep friendships, which can lead to poor mental health.
- Non-attendance at school or unauthorised attendance, can result in safeguarding actionas every child is entitled to a full-time education.
- Children attend school for 190 days per year which leaves 175 non-school days a year for holidays, cultural experiences, shopping, and family time.
- Missing days of school will affect future exam grades which in turn will affect the career choices available to our children.
Should I keep my child at home
If your child is absent from school, you must notify the school office on the first day of absence.
If school has a medical concern, the office will ring to discuss this and if it is felt that the child is too poorly to remain in school, they will need to be collected, with siblings remaining until the end of the school day.
Do I need to keep my child off school? (English and translations) | HSC Public Health Agency Click the link
Absences
Authorised – is when the school agrees with the reason for absence.
Unauthorised – no acceptable reason is given for absence.
Examples of absences which the school is unlikely to authorise can include:
- Sickness of a parent, or other family member.
- Inadequate clothing for school
- Child being used as a carer
- Problems with transport
- Mild illness (as stated)
- Lateness
- Non-urgent medical treatment
- External club activity
- School refusal or truancy
- Birthdays
- Shopping trips
- Holidays
Children have 13 weeks annual holiday from school. Parents/carers are expected to take holidays at this time. Education law states that parents do not have a right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances may a headteacher grant permission for leave during term time.
Lateness for school
School gates open at 8.35am and registers are closed at 8.45am
If a pupil arrives after this time, it is recorded as an unauthorised absence. Contact the school in the first instance if you are concerned about this. If a child is frequently late, the parents may be failing to ensure that their child is receiving full time education and could be prosecuted by the Local Authority. Within the Children’s Services Department, the Education Welfare Service is responsible for matters of attendance and truancy.
Attendance at Morelands is good. However, if a child is frequently late, parents may be failing to ensure that their child is receiving full time education and could be referred to the Education Welfare Service who are responsible for matters of attendance and truancy.
We all want good outcomes for your children and working together is the best way to achieve this. If you are finding things challenging, please reach out and speak with a member of staff on the Attendance Team. Miss P, Mrs Appleford or Mrs McGuinness are always here to help.