Term Dates & Attendance

School 2020/2021 Term dates

Autumn term 2020
Thursday 3rd September
to
Friday 23rd October
Half term
Monday 2nd November
to
Friday 18th December
Spring term 2021
Monday 4th January
to
Friday 12th February
Half term
Monday 22nd February
to
Thursday 1st April
Summer term 2021*
Monday 19th April
to
Friday 28th May
Half term
Monday 14th June
to
Friday 23rd July

*The school will also be closed on Monday 3rd May (Bank holiday)

Attendance & Punctuality

Elmridge Primary actively promotes the expectation that attendance at school is a non-negotiable. It is also expected that children arrive on time for school and are ready to learn.

Research shows that non-attendance and absence can have a negative impact on attainment and achievement. In addition to this regular attendance will help children to develop friendships, confidence and give them the best chance to achieve their potential.

Children should be on time for school. At 9am the registers are closed.  Any child arriving after this time should come through the school office where a parent/carer should sign them in.  A late mark will be recorded.

Being 15 minutes late each day is the same as missing two weeks of school over the year.  Lateness is just as serious as non-attendance.   The start of the school day is an important time for children to develop their social skills with their peers, as well as preparing them for their learning. We start teaching by 9.00am and ‘late’ children miss out on vital skills such as phonics, guided reading and/or basic number work.

Request for Absence

If you wish to request taking your child out of school for exceptional circumstances, you can download an exceptional leave form.  Past attendance and punctuality will play a part in the decision.

We appreciate the challenges that some parents face when booking holidays, particularly during school holidays. However all time in school is important and we are expecting that you will fully support the school.  We will no longer grant time off school for holidays under any circumstances.

What can you do to support your child?

  • Always telephone the school office every day that your child is absent.
  • Try to make medical appointments in the holidays or after school as much as you can.
  • Be quite firm with your child. If you are unsure if your child is well enough for school then bring them in and trust that the staff will send them home if they really are unfit. Quite often the buzz and excitement in the classroom helps the child forget that they felt unwell in the morning.
  • Book holidays in the school holidays