Success Comes from Showing Up

Good attendance is essential for children to achieve their full potential. Every day in school provides valuable learning opportunities and helps children develop socially, emotionally and academically.

Reporting Your Child's Absence

If your child is too unwell to attend school, you must notify the school before 8:30am on the first day of absence.

You can report an absence by:

• Calling 01474 703398 and selecting Option 1
• Emailing office@langafel.kent.sch.uk

When reporting an absence, please provide:

• Your child's name and class
• The reason for the absence, including the nature of their illness
• The expected date of return, where known

If your child remains absent, you may be required to provide updates as requested by the school. The school may ask for further information or evidence where appropriate. The decision as to whether an absence is authorised rests with the school.

Why Attendance Matters

By law, children of compulsory school age who are registered at a school must receive a full-time education and attend regularly. Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly and arrives on time.

When children miss school, they miss important teaching, learning opportunities and experiences that cannot always be replicated. Regular absence can affect academic progress, confidence, friendships and overall wellbeing.

Excellent attendance helps children to:

• Achieve their best academically
• Build friendships and positive relationships
• Develop social and communication skills
• Learn teamwork and resilience
• Establish positive routines and life skills
• Experience the wider opportunities school provides

Avoiding Unnecessary Absence

There will be occasions when children are genuinely too unwell to attend school. However, all other absences should be kept to an absolute minimum.

The Government expects pupils to attend school during term time. Headteachers may only grant leave of absence during term time when an application has been made in advance and there are exceptional circumstances. Family holidays are not considered exceptional circumstances and are unlikely to be authorised.

Unauthorised absence may result in the school considering legal intervention, including the issue of a Penalty Notice in line with Kent County Council's Code of Conduct and national guidance.

Working Together

We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to support excellent attendance.

If your child is experiencing difficulties that may affect their attendance, please contact the school as early as possible. By working together, we can identify any barriers to attendance and provide appropriate support to help your child attend school regularly and thrive.