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East Preston Infant School

East Preston Infant School

Attendance & Absence Requests

Every Day Counts!

It is vital that your child attends school as regularly as possible. Research has clearly shown that regular attendance has a positive impact on children’s achievement. Being at school regularly helps your child build friendships with other children, and your child can feel “left out” after an absence.  Registration is at 8.55am and the school day finishes at 3.15pm averaging a total of 31 hours and 40 minutes per week.

School Day

8.45am - Doors open
8.55 - 9.00am - Registration
12 - 1pm - Lunchtime
1pm - Registration
3.15pm - End of School day

Adverse Weather Conditions

We always endeavour to keep the school open and will only close if absolutely necessary.  School closure announcements will be posted on the front page of the website from 7.30am onwards and are made on Heart FM and their website. We will also send a 'ParentMail' text message to all parents ONLY if the school will be closed. Alternatively, all West Sussex school closures are listed and regularly updated on West Sussex County Council's website.

Absence Requests

The law states that parents must ensure their children regularly attend school to receive their education. The department for education states that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.  Exceptional is likely to be rare, significant, unavoidable and short. The current law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time.  Please note that having already booked a holiday will not be considered as a good reason for term time absence. In relation to ‘unavoidable’ absence, the Headteacher will consider whether the event could have reasonably been scheduled at another time. Issues of cost will not be considered as an exceptional reason.

Absence Request Forms should be submitted well in advance of the requested absence dates along with supporting evidence.  Please use a separate form for each child.