Attendance
We aim for all children to achieve at least 97% attendance. This means that children should be absent from school for no more than 5 days in any academic year. Excellent attendance and punctuality is key to children making progress at school so that they meet expected attainment levels and can achieve their full potential. Missing lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind.
Pupils attend school for a maximum of 190 days each academic year and parents have a legal duty to ensure that their children get a full-time education. Full attendance is vital for every child’s educational progress. Government research shows a clear correlation between excellent attendance at school and higher attainment outcomes in all phases of education. Please see Bradford Council School Attendance for Parents and Carers for further information.
Attendance Procedures:
Late Children:
Our school gates open at 08:35 am and close promptly at 08:45 am, so please ensure children arrive at school within this 10-minute window. If your child arrives late, parents or carers will need to report to the school office where you will be required to sign your child in and record the reason for your child’s lateness.
Pupils who arrive within 30 minutes of the school gates closing will receive a (L) Late mark for their morning attendance. The office will close registers at 9:15am. Pupils will receive a mark of absence (U) if they do not attend school before this time.
Absence due to Illness:
Absence due to illness should be reported by leaving a message on the 24HR child absence line before 08:30am by calling the school office on 01943 873180. If your child has sickness or diarrhoea, they must be kept off school for 48 hours after the last bout of illness.
Medical & Dental Appointments:
Medical and dental appointments should be made, where possible, outside of school time. If your child will be attending an appointment within school time, please notify the office in advance by emailing office@menston.mlt.co.uk, along with proof of the appointment, e.g. a screenshot of a confirmation text or email.
Holidays & Leave of Absence:
Please do not book family holidays during term time. Our term dates are available under the ‘Parents’ tab. Any request for leave of absence during term time should be submitted using the Leave of Absence form, which can be downloaded from the ‘Useful Forms’ page via the ‘Parents’ tab. Paper copies are available from the school office.
Please click here to view the full Menston Primary School attendance procedure.
Moorlands Learning Trust attendance policy can be accessed here.
Supporting Your Child’s Attendance:
We are committed to working with families to ensure excellent attendance for all children. If you have an issue with getting your child to school, you don’t have to struggle alone. Please contact the school office on 01943 873180 to speak to our Attendance Officer & Parental Involvement Worker, Mrs Smitheringale.
Children Who Attend School Everyday:
- Make better progress, both socially and academically
- Find routines, school work and friendships easier to manage
- Find learning more satisfying
- Are more likely to progress to further and higher education
Support We Can Offer:
- Visiting you at home or making time to see you at school
- Talking to you about any problems that may be making it difficult for your child to attend school
- Helping you to deal with the difficulties which stop your child from going to school regularly
- Putting you in touch with other services, if you need more advice or support
- We may work with you to complete an Early Help Assessment
Attendance Tips:
- Talk to your child about the importance of going to school every day
- Take an interest in their school work, including helping with homework and attending parents’ evenings. If they know it matters to you it will matter to them
- Have set times for going to bed and waking up so your child gets plenty of sleep and is up in good time to get to school on time
- Stop using electronic devices one hour before bedtime
- Have clothes and school bag ready the night before
- Only let your child stay home if they are genuinely ill
- If your child doesn’t want to go to school, find out why and work with your school and child to try to sort out the problem.
- Celebrate your child’s achievements at school and their good attendance
- Try to book doctor, dentist, and other appointments outside school hours
- Book holidays in the school holidays, not term time
- If you need help, ask for it. Speak to our school or contact Bradford Council’s Safeguarding Education team at attendance@bradford.gov.uk
