Attendance, Term Dates & School Hours

In 'Achieving Excellence' we aim for 100% attendance each week.  

Punctuality is important too, every minute counts!

EVERY MINUTE MATTERS!

We want our children in school on time, every day. Children need to attend regularly to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Research shows that attendance and punctuality are important factors in school success.

Gates open 8:30am

The school day is 8:45am to 3:15pm for Reception, Acorn and Hazel classes - Key Stage 1

The school day is 8:50am to 3:20pm for Horse Chestnut, Willow and Oak classes - Key Stage 2

This is 32.5 hours. 

DROP OFF AND COLLECTION

If normal arrangements need to be altered (e.g you are delayed or another family member is collecting your child), please let us know by phoning 01606 832321.

HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME

Look before you book!

The law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time. Any applications for term time leave must be in exceptional circumstances and the headteacher must be satisfied that the circumstances warrant the granting of leave. Parents can be fined by the Local Authority for taking their child on holiday during term time without consent from the school. You must obtain a form to request any holiday during term time from the school office where they will explain more about the process.

As a school, we fully appreciate the financial difficulties that some parents face when booking holidays, particularly during school holidays. However, all schools must have firm policies and stringent checks to ensure that there is a significant reduction in the number of absence during term time.

Click the files at the bottom of the page for school term and holiday dates.

Click here for future years’ school term and holiday dates from Cheshire West & Chester.

School Term and Holiday Dates

2024-2025

Parents can support regular school attendance by:

• Making sure their child arrives at school on time with all their resources

• Supporting and encouraging their child by attending parents’ evenings and other events

• Contacting the school to discuss any concerns regarding their child’s attendance

• Working in partnership with the school to resolve any issues that are impacting on their child’s attendance

• Making any medical appointments outside of school hours whenever possible

• Not taking children out of school for holidays in term time or for other unnecessary reasons

Rewarding Good Attendance

We know that sometimes children are not well enough to attend school. However, we also value attendance and want to recognise pupils and families who ensure attendance is always strong.

Persistent Absence and Unauthorised Absence

Did you know if your child arrives after the register has closed they will receive an unauthorised absence? A member of the school team may also come to your house if we cannot get in touch. 

We will communicate concerns about poor attendance to parents and use an escalating approach including letters, meetings in school and/or a referral to the Education Welfare Team at Cheshire West and Chester.

Expected Levels of Attendance

Attending school regularly and on time has a positive impact on learning, progress and therefore the best life chances for pupils. 

Medical appointments

Parents/carers should avoid making routine medical appointments and dental appointments during the school day. In the majority of cases, appointments can be made outside of the school day/during the school holidays.

Where appointments have to be taken during the school day, only the time for the appointment and travel to and from will be classed as an authorised absence. Pupils are expected to return to school for the remainder of the day/attend school prior to the appointment.

Parents/ carers are asked to provide proof of appointment to the office.

Punctuality

It is important that pupils attend school on time so that they do not miss out on the beginning of each school day. We begin every day with phonics and reading – vital lessons. Children must attend on time to be given a present mark for the session.

If a pupil arrives late to school every day, their learning begins to suffer.  Below is a graph showing how being late to school every-day over a school year adds up to lost learning time.