Good Attendance

At Mere School we are working closely with all parents and children to encourage our children to attend school regularly.

Much research has been conducted on the importance of good attendance and the effect any poor attendance can have on pupils' attainment and their future life chances.

Did you know that 90% attendance means:

-  on average, half a day's schooling is missed every week?
-  in one year 4 whole weeks of schooling is missed?
-  if your child has missed essential lessons this will affect their progress and attainment?

Did you know that 80% attendance means:

-  your child is averaging a 4 day week?

This will have a negative impact on not only their attainment but also their ability to make friendships and feel part of the class.  How many employers would allow us to have a day off each week?

Habits of poor attendance and lateness in school are often repeated in working life.  We want our children to learn early on the importance of punctuality and school attendance.  Parental attitudes towards punctuality and attendance are bound to influence children's attitudes.

At Mere School good attendance is a priority and by improving attendance we will improve further the standards that our pupils achieve and give them better chances in later life.  We can only achieve this with your help.

What can parents do to help?

If you feel that your child is unhappy at school and that this is affecting their attendance, please contact us as quickly as possible so that we can work together to resolve any issues.

Ensure that your child arrives at school on time with the necessary equipment for the day.

If at all possible please keep medical and dental appointments outside of the school day.

Only allow days off for genuine illness - you know your child!

Have a look at the termly attendance letters we send home.

Do not take your child on holiday during term time.

Holidays during term time

There are 190 school days in a year and therefore 175 days of holidays and weekends.  Taking your child out of school for 2 weeks (10 school days) will reduce their attendance to 94% before any account is taken for illness.

The law says that parents do not have the right to take their children out of school during term time and Mere School does not authorise any holiday during school time.  Any holiday taken during term time will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and could result in parents being fined by the Local Authority.

Medical/dental appointments

We realise that some appointments are unavoidable and ask that you complete a Leave of Absence form and return it to the school office.

Absence Reporting

If your child is unwell and not able to attend school, please telephone to inform us by 9.15 am - 01747 860515.  Please do not send your child if he/she is unwell. 

If your child becomes ill at school we will use the phone numbers you have given us to contact someone who can take your child home.  In cases of serious illness or accident we will act in loco-parentis to seek urgent medical aid and will contact you as soon as possible.  Parents should keep the school informed of changes to telephone numbers and emergency contacts.

Administration of Medicines
 

Children must not carry medicines with them.  Inhalers/Epi Pens (which should be clearly named) are looked after by the class teacher.  The school needs written permission from parents for children to have an inhaler/Epi Pen in school.

We do not administer any medication in school during the day.  You are welcome to come into school and administer it yourself.

All staff have basic first aid training and Mrs Carolanne Barry and Mrs Lisa Cripps are the nominated first aiders.

 

Late Children

Registers close at 9am.  Should arrival be after this time the parent/carer and child must report to the school office so that the child is recorded as being present and an unauthorised absence is avoided.  Arrival after 9.15am will be recorded as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.