We expect at least 97% attendance at Priestmead

By being in school on time, every day, your child is being taught the essential life skills and good habits for their future as adults who go to work.

This requires a strong partnership between home and school.

We want to teach your children!  That requires them to be in school and on time every day.  We are committed to helping every child to be the best they can be, so we need the equal commitment from home ensuring children have minimal time off except for genuine illness.  All senior staff are in the playground before and after school to motivate children (and parents!) to be on time!

Please do not ask for term time leave for holidays, visiting relatives or “unexpected” vacations.  This will be unauthorised and could lead to a fine of £60 per child per parent from Harrow Council.  There are only 190 school days out of 365 days of a year, and 13 weeks of school holiday – plenty of time to see family and friends abroad then!  Time off in school mounts up unexpectedly and our regular meetings with the Education Welfare Officer hold us to account when attendance dips below 97%, our school benchmark.

The graph above shows it makes a difference!

Please read our Attendance Policy for more information.   If you would like more information on what to do if your child is ill please have a look at out Illness and Absence.  In exceptional circumstances time off school may be granted.  If you require more information on what counts as an ’exceptional’ case please contact us.  A term-time request form should be completed and returned.

The Department for Education has published some interesting facts and information about children taking time off during term time: Short breaks damage young people

The legal bit:

The Law relating to attendance

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 states that ‘the parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him / her to receive efficient full time education suitable:-
(a) to age, ability and aptitude and
(b) to any special educational needs he/ she may have

Either by regular attendance at school or otherwise’

The Law relating to safeguarding

Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 places a duty on local authorities and governing bodies to have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State with regard to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and students under the age of 18.