Rodmersham School seeks to ensure that all its pupils receive a full-time education that maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise his/her true potential. The school will strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment whereby each member of the school community feels wanted and secure. All school staff will work with pupils and their families to ensure that each pupil attends school regularly and punctually.

 

The school will establish an effective system of incentives and rewards that acknowledges pupils' efforts to improve their attendance and timekeeping and will challenge the behaviour of pupils and parents who give low priority to attendance and punctuality.

 

To meet these objectives, Rodmersham School will establish an effective and efficient system of communication with pupils, parents and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support. 

​

Types of Absence

​

Each absence is classed as authorised or unauthorised. Absences are coded as authorised where reasons are considered valid and unauthorised where no explanation or unacceptable reasons are given.

​

Unacceptable Reasons

​

The following reasons are not acceptable:

• shopping visits

• care for family members

• days out

• parents’ work commitments or business trips

• holidays taken in term time (including long weekends taken on Fridays and/or Mondays)

• parental illness

• sleeping in / missing taxi

 

Punctuality

 

Pupils can come to school from 8.40 a.m., and the school day starts promptly at 8.55 a.m. If a child arrives at school after 8.55 a.m. without prior arrangements having been agreed upon, he/she will be deemed late. Registers close at 9.00 a.m., and arrival at school after this time without prior approval or extenuating circumstances will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

 

Pupils arriving at school after 8.55 a.m. must enter through the main gates and report to the school office to be signed in by an adult. Pupils leaving school for any reason must report to the office before they go so that we can ensure that they are appropriately chaperoned and signed out. Registers are also taken when the children return to classes after lunch. The attendance team will investigate unexplained absences.

 

What is expected of the pupils?

 

• To respect themselves and others

• To do all they can to attend school regularly and punctually

• To inform a trusted adult if they feel that they are being bullied 

• To encourage friendship and a sense of belonging 

• To be happy and encourage others to feel happy

 

What is expected of the Parents?

 

• To keep requests for their child to be absent to a minimum 

• To offer a reason, or medical proof, for any period of absence, preferably before the absence or on the first day of absence 

• To ensure that their child arrives at school on time, a reason should be offered for any lateness 

• To work closely with the school and Attendance Service (AS) to resolve any problems that may impede a child’s attendance

• Take family holidays during school holidays, and be aware that requests for holidays during term time will be refused except in extraordinary/exceptional circumstances. 

• To be aware of curriculum requirements and be especially vigilant with regard to attendance during critical academic times such as SATS 

• To support their child and recognise their successes and achievements