The Mead Infant School, along with other local schools and Surrey County Council, firmly believe that all pupils benefit from regular attendance. Full and regular attendance at school is crucial for a child’s future life chances and establishes a positive work ethic early in life. To this end we will do all we can to encourage parents and carers to ensure their children achieve maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent full attendance are identified and acted upon promptly.

Pupils are expected to achieve 100% attendance but when absence is unavoidable, parents and carers are asked to inform the school at the earliest opportunity. The school can be notified on our absences phone line – 0208 393 0966. If we have not heard from you by 9.30 a.m. and your child is not in school we will telephone you to reassure ourselves that they are safe.

Punctuality

Year 1 & 2

The school day begins at 8.30 a.m. Any child arriving after the doors have closed at 8.35 a.m. should be taken to the school office to receive a late sticker before joining their class. We ask parents to sign the late arrival register giving a brief description of the reason for their lateness. Morning registration will take place at 8.35 a.m. The registers will remain open for 20 minutes and any child who arrives after the register has been taken but during the 20 minutes will be marked as late (L).

Reception 

The school day begins at 8.40 a.m. Any child arriving after the doors have closed at 8.50 a.m. should be taken to the school office to receive a late sticker before joining their class. We ask parents to sign the late arrival register giving a brief description of the reason for their lateness. Morning registration will take place at 8.50 a.m. The registers will remain open for 20 minutes and any child who arrives after the register has been taken but during the 20 minutes will be marked as late (L).

Nursery 

The school day begins at 8.50 a.m. Any child arriving after the doors have closed at 9.00 a.m. should be taken to the school office to receive a late sticker before joining their class. We ask parents to sign the late arrival register giving a brief description of the reason for their lateness. Morning registration will take place at 9.00 a.m. The registers will remain open for 20 minutes and any child who arrives after the register has been taken but during the 20 minutes will be marked as late (L).

In cases of persistent late arrivals to school, parents will be invited to a meeting with the Headteacher.

Absence

We are committed to encouraging and supporting parents in ensuring their children achieve maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent this are identified and acted upon promptly.

Exceptional Leave of Absence

There is no automatic entitlement in law to time off during school term-time to go on holiday.

Any financial savings that you think you may make by taking a holiday in school time are offset by the cost of your child’s education.

At The Mead the Headteacher will only authorise absence in term time in exceptional circumstances.

Where a parent wishes  to request a leave of absence, a formal request must be made, in writing, to the Headteacher who will consider the application on behalf of the Governors.

Please click here for an exceptional absence form or collected from the school office.

Consideration will be given to the child’s previous school attendance and whether the time requested exceeds 10 school days in any academic year.

If there is an absence without prior authorisation by the school, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence. Education Welfare will be notified and the parents may be liable to a penalty notice.