At Preston Manor Lower School our aim is to ensure that every pupil achieves their full potential, and good attendance plays a huge part in this.  Research has shown that a child’s improvement in attendance of 1% can result in 5-6% improvement in attainment. Our minimum expectation for a pupil’s attendance is 96%.

Morning registration

• The school gate opens at 8.30am, and classroom doors open at 8:40am.
• Children from Reception to Year 2 should be brought to their class door by an adult. Registers are taken at 8.55am for Reception, Year 1 and 2; and 8.50am for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.  Entry to the classrooms will be closed from these times.
• Any child not in by these times must be taken by an adult to the main school office to sign in.

Reporting absences

• If absence is unavoidable, then a family adult should telephone the school on the absence line below before 9:30am.  Please use the attendance line to keep us informed of continued or prolonged absence. Lower School absence line: 0208 385 4089 
• Unexplained or unreported absences will be followed up by a text or phone call from the school office. If we do not obtain a reason for absence, we will refer to Brent Education Welfare Service.
• Please try to arrange medical and dental appointments after school or during holiday periods.
• By the third day of absence if we do not receive any communication from parent/carers we will follow our Safeguarding procedures and make a referral to Brent Education Service or Brent Safeguarding team. 

Monitoring absences

• Attendance is monitored by Mr Atkinson and Mrs Parmar. 
• Children whose attendance drops below 90% are classified as ‘persistent absentees’, and parents will be sent a letter to alert them to the poor attendance and may be invited to school to discuss this with Mrs Parmar and the Brent Education Welfare Officer.
• For children whose attendance remains below 90%, we will ask for proof of all absences.  Without proof, further absences will be recorded as unauthorised and a referral to Brent Education Welfare Service.

Late to school and late pick up after School

• Coming to school on time is very important but if you child is persistently late we will invite you to discuss this with Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher.
• Please ensure you pick your children up promptly after school. We are considering a late collection fine.  Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 finish at 3.10pm and Years 3, Year 4,Year 5 and Year 6 finish school at 3.20pm.

Term-time leave

• Term time leave will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.  If there is an emergency and you must travel abroad, please ensure you provide the school with a copy of flight tickets and medical letter.  The Head Teacher decision if final.  Any parent taking their child on unauthorised leave risks receiving an Educational Penalty Notice from the Local Authority.

• Requests for term-time leave should be made in writing using the form available in the school office.

Educational Penalty Notices

• The Education Welfare Service may issue a parent with a Formal Warning, an Education Penalty Notice (EPN) or decide to prosecute if a child is persistently absent over a 16 week period. 
• EPNs may also be issued for unauthorised term-time leave, and are issued to each parent for each absent child.
• If a parent is issued with an EPN, they risk receiving a fine from Brent Council of £120. Parents also face the risk of being prosecuted at Willesden Magistrates Court for their child’s non-attendance at school for the period in the notice.
• For further information or a copy of Brent Council’s Attendance Policy and Brent Council’s Non-School Attendance, Education Penalty Notices, Local Code of Conduct is available on Brent Council’s website at www.brent.gov.uk.

Again, we would like to thank those parents who make sure their child is attending school regularly and are therefore benefiting fully from their educational opportunity.