We maintain and promote good attendance and punctuality through raising awareness of issues with parents and pupils and ensuring that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed upon them to ensure their child attends regularly.
The Headteacher and Family Support Worker maintain effective communication with parents, pupils and governors and implement procedures for identifying, reporting and reviewing cases of poor attendance and persistent lateness.
Pupils who have been experiencing difficulties at home or at school which are preventing good attendance are supported by the Family Support Worker, Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher.
The school day starts with arrival between 8.35 a.m. and 8.45 a.m.
Any pupils arriving after this time will need to enter the school via the main office. If a pupil arrives after 8.45 a.m. they will be marked as late and an advisory email sent to the parents to make them aware of the late mark.
If a child receives 3 late marks within a week you may receive a letter asking for us to meet and discuss a way for the parents and school to work together to support change.
We ask that parents inform the school office of reasons for non-attendance before 9:00 a.m. on the first day of absence by calling 0208 270 6582 or by emailing attendance@williamfordschool.co.uk stating the pupil's full name, class and reason for absence.
The Office Staff or Family Support Worker will call if your child is absent without notification.
Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring their children attend school regularly and punctually. Failure to do so could result in a fine and in legal action being taken against them by the Local Authority.
The register is a legal document and schools must ensure that a register is taken at the start of the morning session and again at the afternoon session. Schools are required to use statutory codes.
Only the school (and not parents or carers) can authorise an absence. Where the reason for a pupil’s absence cannot be established, that absence shall be recorded as unauthorised. If a reason for absence is provided by the parent or carer, the school may decide to grant leave of absence which must be recorded as authorised using the appropriate national code.
Governors and headteachers no longer have the discretion to authorise leave of absence for family holidays. Where a family chooses to take a holiday during term time, the absence will be coded as unauthorised and a Penalty Notice may be issued to each parent for each child.
Any other leave of absence request will be considered by the Chair of Governors and Headteacher on a case by case basis.
In compliance with the Education Act 1996 section 436 – 1, the school will, after making appropriate checks, report any Child Missing from Education to the Local Authority which has a duty to investigate the whereabouts of such children and arrange their prompt return to education
Please refer to our attendance policy for further information