Attendance and Punctuality 

It is well known that missing school for any reason can cause a child to fall behind in their learning.

Sometimes children also find it difficult to settle back into school after a break. In the longer term, evidence shows that reduced levels of attendance are likely to affect the progress of any child, whatever their needs or ability, and can also result in lower levels of qualifications being achieved. Further information about attendance can be found here. 

Parents are therefore asked to make medical/dental appointments out of school hours whenever possible. Pupils seeking to leave school in school hours for medical/dental appointments must bring a signed parental request, and must sign out at the attendance office. If a written parental request is not available, pupils will normally only be allowed to leave if a parent can be contacted by telephone. Harrytown places great emphasis on regular attendance. The vast majority of absences are caused by genuine illness. 

Holidays in term time have an impact on attendance. Therefore the Governors have taken the decision that no holidays in term time will be authorised. The local authority advises schools that if parents take children on holidays without permission then Educational Penalty notices will be issued. The fine is currently £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.

In the case of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.

Fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action like a parenting order or prosecution will be considered. If you’re prosecuted and attend court because your child hasn’t been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500.

More information can be found on the UK Government website. 

Attendance figures for each individual pupil are included in the final Student Profile and in leavers' references. Unauthorised absences are specifically recorded.