Absence and Attendance

Absence and Attendance at Radwinter CofE Primary School

At Radwinter CofE (VA)Primary School, we believe that good attendance and punctuality are fundamental to every child’s success and wellbeing. Our Christian vision of “Growing and learning together to embrace life in all its fullness” (John 10:10) shapes everything we do, including how we support and encourage regular attendance. We understand that consistent attendance not only raises standards of attainment but also nurtures a caring, happy, and secure environment where every child can flourish.

Our Commitment to Attendance and Punctuality

We set high expectations for attendance and punctuality from the outset because we know these habits help children develop responsibility and resilience—qualities rooted in our school values of fairness, kindness, respect, and service. We recognise the vital links between attendance, safeguarding, and wellbeing, and we work closely with families to support every child in reaching their full potential.

By law, every child of compulsory school age is entitled to a full-time education suited to their needs. Parents have a legal duty to ensure their child attends school regularly unless there are legitimate reasons, such as illness or authorised absence.

Key Contacts for Attendance Support

Senior Leader responsible for attendance:

Emily Bartram (Headteacher)
Email: head@radwinter.essex.sch.uk

Day-to-day attendance queries:
Sarah McSweeney (Administrative Assistant)
Email: office@radwinter.essex.sch.uk

Pastoral Support for individual attendance needs:
Pippa Hibbs (Pastoral and Behaviour Support Lead)
Email: phibbs@radwinter.essex.sch.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact the relevant staff member if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s attendance.

Absence Procedures: What You Need to Do

If your child is absent, please follow these steps to help us support your child’s learning and wellbeing:

Contact the school before 8:30am on the first day of absence. You can leave a message on the answer phone if no one is available.
Update us every subsequent day of absence before 9:00am.
Ensure your child returns to school as soon as possible. If requested, provide medical evidence to support the absence.

How We Manage Absences

If we do not hear from you on the first day of absence, we will:

Telephone you each day of absence until we receive an explanation.
Contact emergency numbers or social workers if necessary to safeguard your child.
Carry out a home visit if we cannot make contact.
Refer cases to the Local Authority if no contact is made by the 10th day, marking the child as “missing from education.”

If your child’s attendance falls below 95%, or if punctuality is a concern, we will:

Write to you to raise our concerns.
Invite you to meet with the Headteacher, Pastoral Support Worker, or School Welfare Officer.
Work with you to create a personalised support plan to overcome barriers to attendance.
Signpost relevant external support services.
Refer to the Local Authority for sanctions if attendance does not improve.

Punctuality: Starting the Day Right

Good punctuality is a vital life skill and an important part of our school ethos. Arriving late disrupts learning and can make children feel unsettled. To put this in perspective: if a child is just 5 minutes late every day, they miss the equivalent of two whole weeks of school in a year.

School day timings:

Gates open: 8:30am
Gates close: 8:40am
Registration closes: 8:50am
School day ends: 3:10pm

Our lateness policy:

Children arriving after 8:40am must sign in at the office with a parent/carer and provide a reason for lateness.
Registers close at 9:00am. After this, children receive an unauthorised absence mark (‘U’), which affects attendance records.
Persistent lateness will prompt contact from the school and may lead to meetings or referral to the Local Authority.
Occasionally, staff will conduct ‘Late Gate’ checks to encourage timely arrival.

We encourage parents and staff to be strong role models for punctuality and celebrate children who demonstrate consistent good attendance and timeliness.

Supporting Every Child

At Radwinter, we recognise that some families face unique challenges. Our approach is rooted in kindness and fairness, always seeking to understand individual circumstances. We work closely with families, offering support and guidance to ensure that no child feels excluded or marginalised, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with additional needs.

How You Can Help

Please ensure your child arrives on time every day.
Contact us promptly if your child is unwell or unable to attend.
Share any concerns about attendance or barriers your child may face—our team is here to support.
Encourage your child to value their education and the opportunities they have at Radwinter.

Summary

Regular attendance and punctuality are key to your child’s educational success and wellbeing. At Radwinter CofE Primary School, we live out our Christian values by fostering a supportive environment where every child is valued and encouraged to grow. Together, with parents and carers, we strive to ensure that every child can truly embrace life in all its fullness.

For further information or support regarding attendance, please contact the school office or Mrs Hibbs, our, Pastoral Support Worker.

Thank you for partnering with us to give your child the best possible start in life.