Burley St Matthias Primary School

Our school places the highest importance on good attendance.  All pupils, including the very youngest, must attend school regularly, unless they are ill, in order to learn effectively and to form good  relationships with peers and staff.

School starts at 8:50am and finished at 3:20pm.  Lunchtime is from 12:15pm-1:15pm

All your child’s attendance and absences will be recorded on the computer.  This will enable us and the Attendance Improvement  Officer to monitor attendance levels more  effectively.

Teacher's Responsibility

• Teachers have to fill in the class register showing the exact reason for a child’s absence. In particular, we must record which absences are authorised and which are unauthorised.

Parent/carer's responsibility

• Let school know by 10 a.m. if your child is going to be away.  This can be done by  telephoning the school (0113 3367401).
• You must ensure your child is at school on time.  Lateness can become an unauthorised absence.
• Make sure your child attends regularly.
• Our Attendance Improvement Officer checks our records regularly to target children who are persistently late and absent.
• You can be fined if your child or children are persistently absent from school.
• If you have a problem getting your child to school on time, or with your child’s attendance, please talk it over with us.  We may be able to help.

Pupil's responsibility

• Make sure you get to school on time.
• Don’t try to get Mum or Dad to let you have the day off.
• If you have a letter from home about your attendance, keep it safe and hand it straight to your teacher

What is an authorised absence?

• Illness.
• A religious festival.
• Medical/Dental appointments.
• Family bereavement.

What is an unauthorised absence?

• Holidays not approved by School.
• A day off for a birthday.
• Arriving late into school after registers have closed.
• Minding the house or children