Regular, punctual attendance is vital for every child’s learning and is a statutory expectation for all pupils. Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their child attends school regularly and arrives on time.
At Parkside Community Foundation Primary School, our target is for every child to obtain at least 96% attendance, ensuring that they have the best chance to thrive. Missing school can create gaps in learning, so we work closely with families to promote regular attendance.
Please see our Attendance Policy for more information on attendance at Parkside Community Foundation Primary School.
The school day times are:
| Parkside Community Foundation Primary School |
|---|
| 8.40am – 3.10pm |
The register for the first session will be taken at 8.40am and closes at 8.50am. The register for the second session is taken after the lunchtime break.
Parents and carers must inform the School of an unplanned absence on the first day of absence by phoning the School Office on 01227 464956 or emailing officemanager@parkside.kent.sch.uk.
The School strongly encourages medical and dentist appointments to be arranged for outside of the school day. Where this is not possible, parents and carers are required to give prior notice to the School and supply evidence of appointment (such as an appointment letter or confirmation text).
At Parkside, we expect all pupils to arrive on time so they can begin their learning without disruption. Children who arrive late not only miss valuable teaching time but also experience a more unsettled start to their day, which can affect their confidence and progress.
Pupils arriving after the register has closed are marked as absent and must sign in at the School Office, where their lateness and reason will be recorded. Persistent lateness will be followed up with parents and may result in further action such as a Penalty Notice being requested.
Please be aware that Penalty Notice amounts are set nationally by the Department for Education, and schools do not retain any of the money collected.
The current fine for taking a child out of school during term time is £80 per child. If this is not paid within 21 days, the amount increases to £160, and repeat offences within a three-year period will result in the fine being doubled. A third Penalty Notice within three years may lead to prosecution. There is no formal right to appeal a Penalty Notice.
Schools must consider issuing a fine when a pupil has 10 or more unauthorised absences (equivalent to 5 school days), including those resulting from term-time holidays.
At Parkside, we believe in celebrating great attendance!
Each seasonal term, good attendance can earn pupils a chance to enter our raffle and win one of three fantastic prize hampers up for grabs. We also run a ‘mini-attendance challenge’ every half term: if a child achieves 100% attendance in the final week, they receive a small themed prize.
Past rewards have included Halloween-themed pencils and lollies, summer toy bundles, family photoshoot vouchers and much more.
The current initiative for Term 2 is Be Present for Christmas. See below for further details:
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