Attendance & Absence
In order for children to gain the full benefit of their education, it is important that they attend school every day.
The Department for Education publish strict guidelines for schools in accordance with the law regarding attendance. Registers, along with absence notes from parents, are checked regularly by the school and attendance is also recorded on every child’s annual report.
There are two types of absence
Authorised – A child has a legitimate reason for being away from school and the school has been informed of the reason as soon as possible.
Unauthorised – When a child is recorded absent without authority.
Without authority absence, according to D of E guidelines, is not legitimate, e.g. there is no reason for absence: shopping, holidays, looking after siblings, birthdays etc.
In line with D of E guidelines, absence for ‘family’ holidays will not be authorised, unless it is exceptional circumstances. A ‘Request for Term Time Leave Form’ needs to be completed and can be downloaded from our Forms section, found at the top of Parent Information. Fines will be given by the Local Authority for absences of more than five days.
Sickness Guidelines
Please try to contact the school by phone (0114 288 3878) or leave a message if your child is, or has to be, away from school for any reason.
If your child has an illness that is contagious, such as German Measles, please inform the school as soon as possible so that we can inform anyone who may be at risk.
Should your child have sickness or diarrhoea, he/she needs to stay away from school for 48 hours after the final vomiting or bout of diarrhoea, this is to prevent the virus from spreading. If your child is taken ill during the school day we will contact you, either at home or work. Please make sure that your contact details are up to date. A letter needs to be sent to your child’s class teacher If they need to be excused from PE or swimming due to illness or injury.
Appointment Guidelines
If you need to take your child out of school during school hours for a Hospital, Dental or Doctor’s appointment or for educational reasons, please notify the school of the date and reason for absence beforehand. You will then be issued with an “Authorised Absence Pass” in case you get challenged by the Truancy Team when you are out and about.
If your child has to leave early for an appointment, they must be collected via the school office at the main entrance.
If you have any queries, please get in touch with our school office on 0114 288 3878.
We value and reward good attendance; weekly, half termly, termly and annually through certificates and praise in Collective Worship.
Whole School Attendance Target
96.5%
We have a very clear attendance policy.
Address
Deepcar St John’s C of E Junior School,
St. Margaret Avenue,
Deepcar,
Sheffield
S36 2TE
Contact
0114 288 3878
enquiries@deepcar-st-johns.sheffield.sch.uk