Attendance

As a parent, it is your legal responsibility to ensure that your child attends school regularly and on time.  We have an expectation that pupils will achieve at least 98% attendance during the school year. If your child regularly misses school and you have not taken action or asked for help, this may be referred to the Attendance team and a fine may be issued.  You can view our Attendance Policy on our website at www.ladyj.kent.sch.uk/policies

Absence – Sickness If your child is absent due to sickness, please let the school office know on the first and each subsequent day of sickness by 9a.m.  You can contact the school by telephoning 01233 812781, emailing absence@ladyj.kent.sch.uk, or by visiting the school office.

Absence – Appointments We would ask that routine appointments such as opticians, dental check-ups or GP appointments, are made outside of school time at weekends or school holidays. If an appointment is unavoidable, we ask that you complete a form, provide proof of the appointment and give as much notice as possible.  The form is available on the website at Attendance & Punctuality | Lady Joanna Thornhill Endowed Primary School or a paper copy may be collected from the school office.

Holidays during term time - Taking your child out of school during term time can be detrimental to their attainment and progress. There are 13 weeks when your child is not at school and the school is closed. 

The Headteacher is not able to authorise any leave of absence unless there are exceptional circumstances, family holidays and routine appointments do not fall into this category. Schools may refer parents for a fine if there are 10 or more unauthorised absences (5 school days) in a 10 week period.  Any fines would be issued to each parent of each child absent.

If an absence or appointment during term time is unavoidable, you must seek permission from the Headteacher by completing an application for leave of absence’ form for each child, which is available from the school office or school website www.ladyj.kent.sch.uk/attendance-punctuality/. Please give as much notice as possible. If you take your child on holiday without seeking consent from the Headteacher, your child will be taking unauthorised leave, and a penalty notice may be imposed.

Punctuality

Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time.  Lessons begin at 8:45 and the main gates are closed at this time.  The Early Years teachers will be waiting at the Reception year gates, but anyone who arrives late must report to the school office to be marked in to the register.  Failure to do so may result in the pupil being marked as absent. Please do note that if your child arrives late after the registers have closed (9am) this will incur an unauthorised absence mark.  More importantly, if your child is late, they may miss an important part of their education with phonics sessions, which are held each morning.  It can also be very disruptive to other children who have already started their learning. We would also ask that parents collect their child promptly at the end of the school day at 3:15pm (EYFS & KS1) / 3:20pm (KS2).