Attendance

Improving school attendance is a key priority for all schools across Essex. Where families choose to take a family holiday during term time, this can detrimentally impact a pupil’s progress and can prevent them from fulfilling their true academic potential. Our school attendance policy, available via our school website, clearly sets out the process that parents should follow if they wish to apply for leave during term time.

Please note that applications should only be made, if you feel that there are exceptional circumstances which mean that the leave cannot be taken during the school holidays.

We would ask all parents to note that, where families choose to go on holiday during term time and the absences are coded as unauthorised, Essex County Council may not issue penalty notices and may instead proceed to prosecution and place the case directly before the Magistrates for their consideration in court. If found guilty by the Magistrates, parents could face a fine of up to £2,500 and/or 3 months imprisonment.

Please see the table below for how attendance can impact your child's learning.

Punctuality

We encourage all families to get their children to school on time each and every day. Getting your child to school on time sets them up for success—not just academically, but socially and emotionally too. When children arrive on time, they start the day calmly, settle into routines, and feel part of the class from the very beginning. It helps them build responsibility, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Arriving late—even by just a few minutes—can disrupt their learning, cause them to miss key instructions, and make it harder to catch up. It can also affect their friendships and self-esteem. Let’s work together to give every child the best start to their day—because every minute really does matter.