Dartington is committed to providing a full and efficient educational experience to all pupils. Children attending every day, and on time is key to steady pupil progress and enjoyment of learning, and for this reason the school is dedicated to ensuring maximum attendance for all pupils.
We expect the highest standards of attendance and punctuality. Children every day and on time is key to steady progress and enjoyment of learning, and for this reason the school is dedicated to ensuring maximum attendance.
A whole calendar year has 365 days – a school year has only 190 days. This leaves 175 days to spend on family time, visits, holidays and other appointments.
We encourage all pupils to work towards 100% attendance and set a minimum attendance target of 98% per year.
We encourage regular attendance by:
We expect that you will:
Attendance & Absence in Term time Policy 2024 -25
When can my child be in school? Parents Guide to Illness.
100% = Our target for every child
97%+ = Excellent
96% - 97% = Good
94% - 95% = BEGINNING TO CAUSE CONCERN
BELOW 93% = WORRYING AND LESS CHANCE OF SUCCESS
90% = PERSISTENT ABSENCE SERIOUS ATTENDANCE CONCERN
5 minutes late per day = 3 DAYS LOST
10 minutes late per day = 6 DAYS LOST
15 minutes late per day = 9 DAYS LOST
20 minutes late per day = 12 DAYS LOST
30 minutes late per day = 18 DAYS LOST EACH YEAR!
“Failure to attend school regularly can have a major impact on young people’s education, their future and their life chances.”
We have a comprehensive Attendance and Absence Policy; absences are strongly discouraged.
Penalty notices may be used as a deterrent to prevent a pattern of unauthorised absences developing.
It can be tricky deciding whether to keep your child off school when they are unwell. Most illnesses are very mild, like a minor headache or a slight cold. If you decide to keep your child at home, it’s important to phone the school before 9am to let them know why they will be absent. Parents need to call school every day, it is not acceptable to say that your child will be absent all week.
Wherever possible, make medical and dental appointments after school or in school holidays.
There are 13 weeks of school holidays per year. Taking holidays during term time still affects a child’s attendance.
Term time holiday + absence due to illness (or other reason) = Significant impact on your child’s attendance
You must get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.
You can only do this if:
* you make an application to the head teacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with)
* there are exceptional circumstances
It’s up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.
We celebrate attendance every Friday in a special assembly where the classes with the best attendance are awarded a certificate.