At Brize Norton Primary School, we believe that excellent attendance is the foundation for successful learning, wellbeing and achievement. Every day in school provides valuable opportunities for children to develop their knowledge, build friendships and grow in confidence. In line with OCC attendance guidance, we encourage all pupils to attend school every day unless they are genuinely unwell. Regular attendance helps children keep up with their learning, establish positive routines and fully participate in the life of the school. By working together with families, we can ensure that every child has the best possible opportunity to thrive, achieve their potential and enjoy a positive school experience.

If a child is absent from school the parent must follow these procedures:

• Contact the school on the first day of absence before 9:15 when our register closes.
• Parents can speak directly with the school office (O1992 842488), leave a message on the answerphone selecting the appropriate option, or report using the MCAS app.
• Contact the school on every further day of absence, again before 9:15am.
• Ensure that your child returns to school as soon as possible.

Late Arrival at School

Poor punctuality is not acceptable and can lead to irregular school attendance patterns. Pupils who arrive late disrupt lessons and, if a child misses the start of the day, they can feel unsettled and embarrassed and risk missing vital work and important messages from their class teacher.

At Brize Norton Primary School all pupils are expected to arrive on time for every day of the school year.  The school day begins at 8:45am. We advise all parents to ensure their child is on site prior to this.  School gates open at 8:35am. The school register will be taken at 8:45am. All pupils arriving after this time are required to report to the main office with their parents and provide a reason for their lateness. If their arrival is before 9:15am, it will be recorded as late - L code (Late before the close of register).

Absences

Any absence affects the routine of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning journey and ability to progress. Any pupil’s absence or late arrival also disrupts teaching routines and may affect the learning of other pupils. Ensuring a child’s regular attendance at school is a parental responsibility and allowing absence from school, without a good reason, creates an offence in law and may result in prosecution.

Every half-day absence from school has to be classified by the school (not by the parent), as either authorised or unauthorised. This is why information about the cause of any absence is always required. Each half-day is known as a ‘session’. Absence will not be authorised unless parents have provided a satisfactory explanation, and it is accepted as such by the school. The decision to authorise absences is at the discretion of the Headteacher. 

Definitions:

“Absence” as:

• Arrival at school after the register has closed
• Not attending school for any reason

Authorised absences are morning or afternoon sessions away from school for a genuine reason such as:

• An absence for sickness for which the school has granted leave
• Medical or dental appointments which unavoidably fall during school time, for which the school has granted leave
• Religious or cultural observances for which the school has granted leave
• An absence due to a family emergency or unavoidable cause

Unauthorised absences are those which the school does not consider reasonable and for which no ‘leave’ has been granted such as:

• Parents keeping children off school unnecessarily or without reason e.g. because they had a late night or for non-infectious illness or injury that would not affect their ability to learn;
• Absences which have never been properly explained
• Arrival at school after the register has closed (9:15am). Children will be issued a Late mark (L) if they arrive before the register closes, but after the gates close at 8:45am
• Shopping, looking after other children or birthdays
• Day trips and holidays taken during term-time, not deemed ‘for exceptional purposes’ by the headteacher, including any arranged by other family members or friends.
• Leaving school for no reason during the day.
• Any other absence in term time which has not been agreed.

Any absence affects the routine of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning journey and ability to progress. Any pupil’s absence or late arrival also disrupts teaching routines and may affect the learning of other pupils. Ensuring a child’s regular attendance at school is a parental responsibility and allowing absence from school, without a good reason, creates an offence in law and may result in prosecution.

Every half-day absence from school has to be classified by the school (not by the parent), as either authorised or unauthorised. This is why information about the cause of any absence is always required. Each half-day is known as a ‘session’. Absence will not be authorised unless parents have provided a satisfactory explanation, and it is accepted as such by the school. The decision to authorise absences is at the discretion of the Headteacher. 

Definitions:

“Absence” as:

• Arrival at school after the register has closed
• Not attending school for any reason

“Regular” attendance as:

• Attendance at every session the school is open to pupils unless their absence has been authorised

Authorised absences are morning or afternoon sessions away from school for a genuine reason such as:

• An absence for sickness for which the school has granted leave
• Medical or dental appointments which unavoidably fall during school time, for which the school has granted leave
• Religious or cultural observances for which the school has granted leave
• An absence due to a family emergency or unavoidable cause

Unauthorised absences are those which the school does not consider reasonable and for which no ‘leave’ has been granted such as:

• Parents keeping children off school unnecessarily or without reason e.g. because they had a late night or for non-infectious illness or injury that would not affect their ability to learn;
• Absences which have never been properly explained
• Arrival at school after the register has closed (9:15am). Children will be issued a Late mark (L) if they arrive before the register closes, but after the gates close at 8:45am
• Shopping, looking after other children or birthdays
• Day trips and holidays taken during term-time, not deemed ‘for exceptional purposes’ by the headteacher, including any arranged by other family members or friends.
• Leaving school for no reason during the day.
• Any other absence in term time which has not been agreed.

At Brize Norton Primary School, we endeavour to work closely with our families.  If you have any concerns or worries about your child's attendance, do make an appointment to speak with the headteacher, Robyn Jones, via the office.