Policy Statement

Good attendance is essential if pupils are to make good progress and gain the appropriate skills, which will equip them for life. Milford School sets itself a target of 97%.

If your child is not able to attend school you should contact the office on the morning of the absence by phone, by email or in person.  This should be done by 9.45 am. 

All children are expected to be in school by 8.55am. If a child arrives late they should report to the office.

A late mark is given for children arriving after 8.55am. If they arrive after the register closes at 9.30am , they will be marked as 'absence after the register closes' and this will affect their attendance percentage. 

Absence is regularly monitored by the Headteacher and where a child’s attendance falls below 95% without good reason, parents will be contacted. We will deal with any persistent absence sensitively but without compromising the expectations of the school. Where a child's absence falls below 90% it is likely that parents or carers will be asked for a doctors note or evidence of prescribed medication for each and every absence. Where this is not obtained the absence will be unauthorised. If a child's absence is not improved school may make a referral to the Education Welfare Officer.

In September 2013 the Education (Pupil Registration England Amendment) Regulations 2013 came into force and was amended in 2016. These regulations make it clear that Headteachers should not grant approval for any leave of absence during term-time, including holidays unless the absence is for ‘exceptional circumstances.’  These regulations also state that holidays cannot be authorised retrospectively.

Any requests for absence should be made on the school absence request form available from the school office and handed into the office prior to any holiday/leave arrangements being made.

You may be issued with a Penalty Notice should leave be taken which is not authorised. If unpaid this could lead to prosecution under section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996.

It is an expectation that parents/carers take family holidays in the 13 weeks that children have for such purposes and not during the 39 school weeks. Derbyshire County Council issue a penalty notice for absence due to holidays. Where there are exceptional circumstance for absence parents/carers should explain these to the Headteacher in writing.