Attendance

Attendance at School

St Margaret's Academy works closely with parents to support their child's full attendance at school. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly and arrive on time. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of their children on their journeys to and from school.

Regular and punctual attendance is linked closely to achievement and attainment and school staff wish to work with parents/carers to ensure that children can reach their full potential. The school is required by law to maintain an accurate record of the attendance and absence of each pupil and parents are requested to assist in this process by keeping the school informed if their child is to be absent for any reason.

It is important to note that if a child does not arrive at school, and there is no reasonable explanation provided for this absence, then members of staff will be required, in line with Council policy, to ascertain the whereabouts and safety of the individual child. In order to avoid causing unnecessary concern for parents/carers and staff, the importance of good communication between home and school cannot be over-emphasised.

Unexpected Absence

Parents/carers are asked in particular to assist school staff as follows:

• if your child is unable to attend school through illness please telephone the school Attendance line between 8.00 and 8:45 am on the first day of the unexpected absence
• when you contact the school please state the nature of the illness eg 'flu', broken arm, migraine etc. It would also be helpful if an indication could be given as to the child's expected length of absence from school.

Planned Absence

Parents/carers are encouraged not to arrange family holidays during term time. Except in cases of emergency, planned appointments for children to attend the dentist or doctor should be made outwith the school day

Contact Details

Parents/carers are asked to ensure that telephone contact numbers (home, work and emergency contact(s)) are kept up-to-date and are numbers at which a response can be obtained in all normal circumstances.

Thank you for your co-operation with these procedures and should you wish to discuss your child's attendance please do not hesitate to contact their Pupil Support teacher or our Family Support Worker.