CHRIST CHURCH CofE
FIRST SCHOOL & NURSERY
Frome, Somerset
Attendance matters
Click here to read our school Attendance Policy
At Christ Church, we expect that all children will:
- attend school every day;
- attend school punctually;
- attend appropriately prepared for the day.
At Christ Church, we expect that all parents/carers will:
- ensure regular school attendance and be aware of their legal responsibilities;
- ensure that their child arrives at school punctually and prepared for the school day;
- discuss promptly with the class teacher or School Office any problems that may affect their child’s school attendance;
- ensure that they inform the school daily of absence or, if known in advance, whenever their child is unable to attend school;
- provide medical evidence if a child is absent for four or more days before the illness is marked as authorised absence: this may be an appointment ticket or card from the drop in centre or doctor’s surgery;
- contact school promptly whenever any problem occurs that may keep their child away from school;
- notify the school of any home circumstances that might affect the behaviour and learning of their child;
- notify school immediately of any changes to contact details.
Term-time holiday penalty notices and prosecutions
The Department for Education, Somerset County Council and all 18 schools in the Frome Learning Partnership agree that holidays should NOT be taken during term-time. For this reason, Headteachers of Frome schools will NOT authorise (i.e. give permission for) term-time holidays, so please do NOT request them or book them. Please also note: parents/carers taking children on holiday during term time without the school’s permission may face prosecution which could lead to fines up to £2,500 and/or 3 months imprisonment. (See section 12 of the Somerset County Council Model Attendance Protocol for Schools.)
Applying for time off during term time
Parents/carers who have taken into account these facts, and still want their child to take time off during term time should complete a request for term-time leave form and submit it to the school office (for the attention of the Headteacher) at least four weeks before the date(s) being asked for.