Headteacher Update

It has been a short, but still busy week at school. We have had a visit from a Phonic Consultant from the Reading Hub, who we are working with to ensure that we are always strengthening our phonic practice. We are looking forward to Sports Day and hope to see many of you there.

We would all like to wish our year six children good luck in their SATs next week, we are very proud with the effort that they have put in to prepare and the resilience that they have shown. 

Attendance

As I have communicated previously as a school, we are always striving to improve attendance and punctuality.

Why it is important to attend school regularly?

To give your child the best possible start in life

They will be able to keep up with their work

They will achieve better results

They will develop friendships and social skills

School attendance is central to raising standards in education and ensuring all pupils can fulfil their potential. The government has set a target of 95% attendance for all pupils. This rate allows for periods of illness or particular circumstances when absence from school is unavoidable. We want your child to attend school regularly as this supports their learning. If your child is not well or if you have a planned reason why your child cannot attend school, please inform the school at the earliest opportunity.

The Law

Children of compulsory school age must, by law, receive a full-time education.

Each person with day-to-day parental responsibility could be taken to court and fined for each child who is not attending school regularly or who is persistently late.

The Education Act 1996 states that all pupils should attend school regularly and punctually. ‘If a child of compulsory school age, who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his parent is guilty of an offence.’

Some key attendance facts:

Attending 90% of the time or less will have a serious effect on learning.

One day’s absence every two weeks will give 90% attendance.

Up to the age of 16, 90% attendance will mean losing over a year of school – more than half

If you are struggling to get your child to school, please contact a member of the Senior Leadership Team or Mrs Brown, our Pastoral lead.

Have a lovely weekend

Denise Coady

Well Done to Our
STARS OF THE WEEK!

Reception – Paul

Y1- Thomas

Y2- Teddy

Y3 – Eray

Y4-  Olivia

Y5- Brooke

Y6-  Henry

Hedgehogs -  Rosanna

Congratulations to these children who have been role modelling our school values this week and received a values leaf!

Caring

Reception - Elsie

Year 1 - Harry   

                              Year 2 - Oliver Cuthbert-Brown 

Year 3-  Eray

Year 5-  Joseph

Year 6  - Riyanshi

Hedgehogs-  Charlie

                                                               Respect

Reception - Olive

Year 1 - Emilia 

Year 2 - Fliss

Year 3 -  Finn

Year 5 - Rayanna

Year 6  - Maddison

Hedgehogs- Henry

Self Discipline

Reception - Elizabethgrace

Year 1 - Elijah

Year 2 – Mason

Year 3 - Thomas 

Year 5 - Alex 

 Year 6  - Archie

Hedgehogs-  Lilyrose

Penalty Notices to Address Poor Attendance at School

A Penalty Notice may be issued as an alternative to the prosecution of a parent/carer for their child’s unauthorised absence from school (absence without the agreement of the school or not covered by a medical note) and will be used by Surrey County Council in the following circumstances :-

Just to remind parents/carers that if they take their children out of school without authority for 5 or more days (which do not have to be consecutive), then the following will apply:

1. If you have not incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children in a rolling 3 year period since 19 August 2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.

 2. If you have incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.

 3. If you have incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then you will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996.

Surrey County Council is not responsible for authorising pupil absence and therefore cannot withdraw any Penalty Notice requests without the written permission of the Headteacher.