Chesterton Primary School
Attendance Information for Parents
At Chesterton Primary School, we know that regular attendance is vital to every child’s education, wellbeing and long-term success. Our Attendance Team works closely with families to ensure pupils attend school consistently and receive the support they need.
We follow a Support First approach and work in line with the Department for Education’s guidance (Working Together to Improve School Attendance) to identify issues early, offer appropriate support, and promote a culture of excellent attendance.
Meet Our Attendance Team
- Mrs L Pringle – Headteacher, Attendance Champion and SENCo (Autumn Term) – Leads strategic planning for attendance and inclusion.
- Mr Scarsbrick – Senior Leader: Outcomes and Pupil Premium – supports disadvantaged pupils.
- Mrs Frost – School Administrator – Manages registers, attendance systems and daily communication with families.
- Mrs Scott – Senior Leader – Provides pastoral oversight and supports families.
- Miss Stuart – Key Stage 2 Lead – Champions attendance and wellbeing in KS2.
- Mrs Carter – ELSA – Offers emotional support to pupils facing barriers to regular attendance.
Class Teachers
All class teachers play a vital role in promoting good attendance. They:
- Complete registers accurately and on time every day
- Promote the importance of attendance in class
- Identify early signs of concern and work with the Attendance Team
- Support children and families to overcome barriers to attendance
Our Approach: Support First
We recognise that some families face genuine challenges with attendance. Our approach prioritises support over sanctions, in line with national guidance. We work with families to:
- Understand the reasons behind poor attendance
- Offer tailored support or referrals to external services
- Monitor improvements and celebrate progress
- Escalate to formal processes only when necessary
Term-Time Holidays and Exceptional Circumstances
Taking holidays during term time is not permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances. In line with DfE policy:
- Holidays for leisure or recreation will not be authorised.
- Unauthorised absences may lead to a Penalty Notice (fine) being issued by the Local Authority.
The headteacher may authorise absence in exceptional circumstances. Each request is considered individually. Examples include:
- Family bereavement – time off to attend a funeral or grieve a close family member.
- Religious observance – recognised religious days may be authorised.
- Family weddings – up to one day may be authorised for an immediate family wedding. Additional travel days will not be authorised.
All requests for leave must be submitted in advance using the Leave of Absence Request Form. Final decisions rest with the headteacher.
