Attendance and Punctuality

We expect all children to attend school regularly and punctually. Even a short absence can impact on learning.

Not attending school regularly, a day here or there doesn’t seem like much, but absences add up. Two days a month is equal to 4 weeks a year which is over one year of lost learning from Year 1 to Year 13.

Every school day counts, each day missed makes it harder to catch up, and can lead to lower achievements in reading, writing and numeracy.

Every day missed impacts on children and young people’s ability to make important social connections and friendships.

There are lots of reasons why a child should attend school:

• To develop as ambitious, capable learners, ready to learn throughout their lives.
• To become enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work.
• To mature as ethical, well-informed citizens of Wales and the world.
• To become healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.

Excellent attendance at school allows a child to have the best possible start in life.

If your child does not attend school regularly, safeguarding concerns may be raised about their welfare and progress.

Except for illness or a family emergency, please ensure your child attends school. You are required to contact the school to inform us of your child’s absence on the first day of absence.

We expect children to arrive at school punctually as this is vital for your child’s educational development and for the school and classroom organisation. We also operate a free Breakfast Club at the school from 8am to support parents.

Details of holidays, activities and training days are distributed to parents at the beginning of each academic year. We work very closely with the local authority attendance officers and family referrals are made to the service if poor attendance continues.

If you have any difficulties regarding getting your child to school on time please feel free to discuss any issues you have with us.

HOLIDAY REQUESTS

We kindly ask parents, where possible, to take holidays during school holidays and not during term time.

If you feel there are extenuating circumstances why you must take your child out of school during term time, please arrange a meeting with Mrs Anna Davies, the Head Teacher. You can do this by ringing the school (01554 832207) or by emailing directly to:

anna.davies@pembrey.ysgolccc.cymru

head@pembrey.ysgolccc.cymru

GUIDELINES

When assessing a request for a holiday, the Headteacher will have to consider: 

• The age of the child

• The time of year of the proposed trip; 

• The length and purpose of the time off; 

• Any impact on continuity of learning; 

• Overall attendance pattern

• The child’s progress

• Any guidance issued by Welsh Government

• Balanced with:

  • The circumstances of the family 

  • The wishes and views of the parents; and 

  • The purpose of the holiday

PLEASE NOTE: The above list is not exhaustive and the Headteacher is entitled to take into account other factors which they feel to be relevant to the exercise of their discretion.

If holiday requests are granted based on the circumstances, these will be authorised however, it will still impact on your child's overall attendance percentage - only a present mark on the register can guarantee attendance.