There is a clear expectation that all children attend school every day, and on time, unless they are really too unwell to do so. As a parent in gauging the level of sickness, you should consider the relevant guidance, also taking into account if the sickness would prevent an adult from attending a place of work.

Good attendance habits start early in life with an expectation that your child will attend school every day. It is your legal responsibility to ensure that your child attends school every day, and that they are on time. We have a minimum expectation at Marlborough that all children should achieve at least a 97% attendance rate. Many children do achieve 100%.

On a day that your child is meant to be at school, you may think that you can give them permission to be at home but you cannot. The only person who can give permission for your child not to be at school on a school day is the Head Teacher.

If your child will be absent from school due to illness, you must telephone the school office on each morning of absence and explain the circumstances. This should then be followed up with a letter on your child's return. These absences are likely to be authorised depending on if your child already holds an acceptable school attendance record. The Head Teacher can request from you a medical certificate if the reasons given for absence, along with the length of absence warrant this.

Any absences that are not reported to school will be automatically be classified as unauthorised.

If your child is not unwell but you need to request a leave of absence, the Head Teacher can authorise up to 5 days for 'exceptional' circumstances. The Head Teacher will decide whether each application for leave is 'exceptional' or not based on the circumstances and prior attendance record for your child. In all cases, a 'Leave of Absence' request form must be completed. The following examples are unlikely to be authorised as exceptional;

• sickness of a parent, or other family member
• inadequate clothing for school
• child acting as a carer
• problems with transport
• behaviours or attitudes to school attendance leading to school refusal or truancy
• non urgent medical treatment or appointments
• Days off for birthdays, family events and shopping trips
• family holidays

 
If you report your child absent due to sickness and it is authorised but later evidence then suggests that the sickness was not genuine, the absence(s) will be made unauthorised.

At Marlborough we strongly believe, as a true community school, in working with you and others in the best interests of our children having the best life chances. If you are unsure about whether your child is well enough to attend school or not, or you need to discuss any issues that surround attendance matters, someone is always available to speak with. Please contact the school office, or your child's Class Teacher if you need to.

Our Attendance Policy clearly includes your responsibilities for ensuring your child's high attendance, and our responsibilities as a school.

If children miss school during a testing period, this will result in a penalty notice fine being issued, regardless of the previous attendance record.

"Penalty Notice Warning in accordance with Hampshire County Council's Code of conduct :  If a child has any unauthorised absence during any formal examinations, testing or assessment as publicised via our school website or parent/carer newsletters this will result in the issuing of a Penalty Notice for non-attendance."

Year 2 will undertake their tests and assessments throughout the whole of May and June 2020

Year 1 Phonics Screening will take place from Monday 8th June - Friday 12th June 2020