Attendance
Miss Louise is the Attendance Lead here at Gainsborough and together with the Newham Attendance Management Service she continuously monitors the attendance of all the children.
We set a target for all children to have an attendance of at least 98%.
Having attendance above 98% means your child cannot be absent, unless they are genuinely too sick for school. Less than this means their learning will suffer.
Why is regular attendance so important?
Here at Gainsborough, we believe that regular attendance at school powerfully supports
your children to reach their personal potential. Below you can see how much learning time is missed, when your child is not in school. All evidence suggests that children with a better attendance, excel in school. Good attendance also has a positive impact on a child's friendships, self-esteem and confidence. This is why we relentlessly monitor attendance at Gainsborough.
Letting us Know
If your child is absent from school, please call the school office before 9am on 0207 476 3533. Alternatively, you can send an email to gainsboroughabsence@ekotrust.org.uk
If you do not contact us we'll call you or we may conduct a home visit.
Timekeeping
Timekeeping is also important in the education of your child. If your child is persistently late then they are missing out on important consolidation work as well as the start of the lesson. Can we also remind parents and carers that the school gates are open from 8:45am. School starts at 8.50am, children arriving after this time will be marked as late. The school day finishes at 3:20pm. Please ensure your child is collected promptly. If children are late on a regular basis, you will be called in for a meeting with the class teacher.
WHY IS REGULAR ATTENDANCE SO IMPORTANT
We want every child to achieve their full potential and coming to school every day will allow them to do this.
Not attending school regularly not only affects a child's education it also has a negative impact on their friendships, self-esteem and confidence. We work in partnership with Newham Attendance Management Services and together we monitor the attendance of every child in our school relentlessly.
Us as a school and you as a parent have a legal responsibility to ensure your child attends school on a regular and punctual basis. Failure to do this can result in a penalty notice being issued.
PENALTY NOTICES
The London Borough of Newham Attendance Management Service can issue a Penalty Notice of £60 per child per parent. This could be raised to £120 per child if it is not paid within 21 days from the date of issue. If the fine is not paid at all it could lead to prosecution and a criminal record.
Who can be issued with a Penalty Notice?
∙ All natural parents, whether they are married or not;
∙ Any person who has parental responsibility for a child;
∙ Any person who has care of a child or with whom the child lives.
PARENT CHECK LIST
∙ Ensure your child is in school every day.
∙ Make appointments outside of the school day.
∙ Inform school before 9:00 AM ( Tel no 0207 476 3533) if your child is unable to attend
school. Alternatively, you can send an email to gainsboroughabsence@ekotrust.org.uk .
∙ Seek advice from a health professional if your child is too ill to attend school.
∙ Keep the school informed of any medical issues that may affect your child’s attendance.
∙ provide medical evidence to support an absence from school.
∙ Take an interest in your child’s education. Ask them about their day and praise/encourage their achievements.
∙ Book any holidays/trips for during the schoolholidays.
∙ Discuss any concerns you have with Miss Louise.
SICKNESS
Of course Gainsborough Primary School and Newham’s Attendance Management Service do not expect your child / children to attend school if they are ill, however, we would like to remind you that parents/carers are expected to provide medical evidence if their child is absent.
∙ An appointment card from your GP / dentist
∙ Prescriptions showing the child’s name
∙ A text message from the GP / dentist showing the appointment data and time.
∙ Letter / documentation from hospitals, out of hours medical clinics and ‘Walk-in Clinics’.
PLEASE NOTE:
Medical evidence from other countries or non - UK based medical practitioners will not be accepted.
If your child has an ongoing medical condition which regularly prevents them from coming to school, please bring a copy of the G.P or consultant’s diagnosis letter.
UNACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR BEING ABSENT FROM SCHOOL
∙ A shopping trip
∙ Child is tired
∙ A birthday treat
∙ Waking up late
∙ Looking after other children
∙ Non urgent medical appointments
∙ Term time leave/Holidays
∙ Mum / Dad not feeling well
PARENT CHECK LIST
∙ Ensure your child is in school every day.
∙ Make appointments outside of the school day.
∙ Inform school before 9:00 AM ( Tel no 0207 476 3533) if your child is unable to attend
school. Alternatively, you can send an email to gainsboroughabsence@ekotrust.org.uk
∙ Seek advice from a health professional if your child is too ill to attend school.
∙ Keep the school informed of any medical issues that may affect your child’s attendance
∙ provide medical evidence to support an absence from school.
∙ Take an interest in your child’s education. Ask them about their day and praise/encourage their achievements.
∙ Book any holidays/trips for during the school holidays
∙ Discuss any concerns you have with Miss Louise
HOLIDAYS
NO HOLIDAYS WILL BE AUTHORISED DURING TERM TIME.