Attendance Matters!

Here is a rewritten draft aligned with the Department for Education’s statutory guidance (Working together to improve school attendance). It replaces punitive language (e.g., prosecution, police referrals) with a supportive, partnership-focused tone while keeping legal responsibilities clear.

Attendance and Punctuality: Working Together for Every Child

At Chesterfield, we believe that regular attendance is key to your child feeling happy, connected, and ready to learn. We strive for a school-wide attendance rate of 96% to 100%, and we are committed to working alongside parents and carers to help every pupil reach their full potential.

In line with Department for Education guidance, our approach is built on support, open communication, and early intervention. We know that behind every attendance challenge there can be complex family, personal, or medical reasons. Whenever difficulties arise, our team is here to listen, support, and help find practical solutions together.

Key School Times

Developing reliable routines helps children feel confident and settled.

• School Starts: 8:45 AM

• School Ends: 3:15 PM

Please ensure your child arrives on time so they can begin their day smoothly alongside their classmates. If your child arrives after 8:45 AM, please bring them to the main school office to sign in.

How We Support You and Your Family

If your child’s attendance falls below 90% (classed by the DfE as persistent absence), or if we notice a drop in punctuality, we will reach out to start a helpful conversation.

We work closely with our attendance team and local support services to create tailored plans for families who need extra help. While local authorities hold statutory powers regarding persistent unauthorised absence, our priority is always to work in partnership with you to avoid formal measures wherever possible.

Free Breakfast Club

Mornings can be busy, and we are here to support you. Our free, DfE-funded Breakfast Club provides a warm, safe space for children to start their day with a nutritious meal, socialise with friends, and settle in before learning begins. Dropping your child off early can help ease morning routines and build positive habits for consistent attendance.

What To Do If Your Child Is Unwell

If your child is too unwell to attend school, please contact us before 9:00 AM on the first day of absence:

• Phone: 01992 760678 (Attendance Line)

• Email: office@chesterfieldprimary.org

Please share the specific nature of their illness (e.g., high temperature, sickness) so we can accurately update our registers and monitor school health trends.

Unsure if your child is too ill for school? Mild symptoms like a slight runny nose or minor cough don't usually need to keep a child home. You can check the NHS guide for clear medical advice: NHS: Is my child too ill for school?

Term-Time Absence and Holidays

Every day of learning matters. In accordance with national DfE regulations, schools cannot authorise term-time holidays.

We understand that unexpected circumstances happen. If you need to request leave during term time for an exceptional circumstance, please complete a 'Request for Leave During Term Time' form from the school office as far in advance as possible. Applications are considered by the Headteacher on a case-by-case basis. Unauthorised absences may be referred to the Local Authority in line with national framework guidelines.

End of Day Collection

Please ensure your child is collected promptly at 3:15 PM. If you are running late due to an emergency or traffic, please call the school office immediately so we can reassure your child and arrange for them to wait safely with our team.

For further details on how we support attendance across the school, please read our full Attendance Policy below.