Quick Links

Useful Links

Westbury Infant School and Resource Base

Attendance

Our Whole School Approach to Attendance

Attendance - Lacock Primary SchoolAt Westbury Infant School, we have the highest aspirations for your child; children only get one chance at school, and in order to achieve in education, they need to attend school regularly and be on time for their lessons.

It is an obvious, but important point to make, that if a child misses a significant number of lessons then it is likely that their education will be greatly affected. We therefore have a strict policy on attendance and punctuality.

We expect and encourage pupils to have good attendance and to arrive at school on time and will work closely with parents and carers should attendance or punctuality give cause for concern.  We require to see evidence of GP appointments etc and encourage parents to make routine appointments outside of school hours.

Click here to view our Attendance Policy.

Excellent punctuality is important because:

  • When pupils arrive late they disrupt lessons
  • When pupils arrive late they can miss key learning opportunities
  • When pupils are late it can be embarrassing for them
  • Good time keeping is a vital life skill that will help children as they progress through their school life and out into the wider world
Excellent attendance is important because:
  • Children may be at risk of harm if they do not attend school regularly
  • There is a direct link between under-achievement and poor attendance
  • Regular attenders make better progress, both socially and academically
  • Regular attenders find school routines and schoolwork easier to cope with
  • Regular attenders are more likely to find learning satisfying and to build strong friendships with their peers
  • Regular attenders have an easier transfer to secondary school, having developed
  • positive habits in attending school every day
  • Creating a pattern of regular attendance establishes a positive habit for life

Please note that permitting absence from school without a good reason creates an offence in law under the Education Act 1996, and may result in prosecution.

  • The expected level of attendance for all children is 96% or better
  • Children who have attendance less than 90% are classed as 'persistent absentees'
  • If your child's attendance is less than 96% you might receive letters and/or be invited to a school attendance meeting with the Head Teacher to discuss any underlying reasons for absence and if any support is required to improve your child's school attendance.Attendance - John Colet School

What to do if your child is unwell ...

You must inform the school by 9am on every morning of absence if your child is unwell, or absent for any other reason. You can do this in person, via the school app or by phone on 01373 822716 or by email admin@westbury-inf.wilts.sch.uk

It is important that the school receives accurate information from parents/carers as this information is used to determine whether or not the absence is authorised or unauthorised by the school; please ensure that you state your child’s name, class and the reason for their absence.

Absences:

Call 9am on every morning of absence. 01373 822716
If a child has more than 10 days of illness (not consecutive) during an academic year parents/carer are required to provide medical evidence such as a note from a GP or a copy of a prescription. Failure to do so may result in the absence being unauthorised.