Ranelagh Primary School is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all its pupils and recognises that this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent school attendance for all. There is clear evidence of a link between good attendance at school and high levels of attainment. Only by attending school regularly and punctually will children be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their children attend school and we will make every effort to support them to achieve this.  

The school opens for the children at 8.40am and the register will be called promptly at 8.55am. The register will be called by the class teacher and a mark will be made during the registration period in respect of each child. Any child who arrives between 8.55-9.25am will be marked as late (L code).

The register will close at 9.25am and any pupil who arrives after the closing of the register will be counted as an unauthorised absence (U code). 

In the afternoon, the register will be taken at 1pm for reception and KS1 and 1.15pm for KS2.  The register will close at 1.30pm (EYFS/KS1) and 1.45pm (KS2).

​

The pupil’s parent must notify the school of the reason for the absence on the first day of an unplanned absence by 9am or as soon as practically possible, by calling the school office staff.

​

Where the absence is longer than 4 days, or there are doubts about the authenticity of the illness, the school will ask for medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence. We will not ask for medical evidence unnecessarily.

​

If the school is not satisfied about the authenticity of the illness, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and parents will be notified of this in advance.

​

Planned absence

Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised as long as the pupil’s parent notifies the school in advance of the appointment and provides evidence of the appointment.