Attendance

In the academic year that ended in July 2023, 26% of the children attending Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School were persistently absent (attendance of 90% or less).  This is significantly higher than the national figure for the same period of 17%.

A new attendance reward system was introduced in September 2023 with all children in the class or classes with the best attendance in the preceding week receiving an 'attendance award' sticker in assembly on a Monday.  We take attendance at school very seriously and need the support of all parents and carers to ensure that your children attend school on all days that they are well enough to do so.  By working together in this way, we will enable children to access all of the learning opportunities on offer to them which will support them to make as much progress as possible in their learning.

There is no entitlement in law for pupils to take time off during the term to go on holiday. In addition, the Supreme Court has ruled that the definition of regular school attendance is “in accordance with the rules prescribed by the school”.  The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 were amended in September 2013.  All references to family holidays and extended leave have been removed. The amendments specify that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are "exceptional circumstances".  All applications for a leave of absence must be made in writing, in advance.  Where a parent removes a child when the application for leave was refused or where no application was made to the school, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.  Unauthorised absence may result in the school referring to the Local Authority for sanctions and/or legal proceedings.  This may include issuing each parent with a Penalty Notice for £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 21 days or referring the matter to the Magistrates Court whereby each parent may receive a fine up to £2500 and/or up to 3 months in prison. If a parent is found guilty in court, they will receive a criminal conviction. If a parent has previously received a Penalty Notice for an offence of failing to ensure regular school attendance or been the subject of a prosecution for any child in relation to irregular school attendance, there may not be an opportunity to pay a further Penalty Notice; the case may proceed directly to court.

Please read the 'Attendance Policy' below as this clarifies the school's approach to attendance.