Attendance

Flamstead End recognises that positive behaviour and good attendance are essential in order for pupils to get the most of their school experience, including their attainment, wellbeing and wider life chances.

The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude, and any special educational need they may have. It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education either by attendance at a school or by education otherwise than at a school.

Where parents decide to have their child registered at school, they have an additional legal duty to ensure their child attends that school regularly, on time. This means their child must attend every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence in advance from the school.

The Department for Education (DfE) has produced statutory guidance for maintained schools, academies, independent schools, and local authorities. It is called “Working together to improve school attendance” and it includes a National Framework in relation to absence and the use of legal sanctions. Our School Attendance Policy reflects the requirements and principles of that guidance.

What to do if your child is absent from school

If your child is absent from school you must follow these procedures:

  • Contact the school on the first day of absence before 9.20 am, when registers close
  • Email is the preferred way for parents to let the school know your child is absent admin@flamsteadend.herts.sch.uk or your can use the Arbor App.
  • Ensure that your child returns to school as soon as possible and you provide any medical evidence, if requested. 

If your child is absent, we will:

  • Telephone or text you on the first, and every subsequent day of absence, if we have not heard from you.  However, it is your responsibility to contact us
  • If we are unable to make contact with parents by telephone, we will telephone emergency contact numbers, send letters home and a home visit may be made, in the interests of safeguarding.

Attendance and Punctuality Policy 

Application for Leave of Absence 

Penalty Notices for Unauthorised Absence

NHS - Should I Keep my Child off School 

DFE - Illness and Your Child's Education

NHS - Is my Child too Ill for School