Attendance
At Cuddington Croft Primary School, we aim to deliver an outstanding education for all our children. We can only achieve this if children have good attendance. Every child is entitled to an education. Parents and carers who do not ensure their children attend school regularly put their children’s future at risk.
New Penalty Regulations for Unauthorised Term Time Absence
We have been notified by Surrey County Council that regulations for unauthorised term time absences are changing as of 19th August 2024. Please see these new regulations below. It is worth noting that fines are now on an incremental scale in a rolling 3 year period.
Fine 1. If a parent/carer has not incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children in a rolling 3 year period since 19 August 2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00, per parent/carer per child if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against the parent/carer in the Magistrates Court.
Fine 2. If a parent/carer has incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings in the Magistrates Court.
Fine 3. If a parent/carer has incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then the parent/carer will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996.
We believe that regular attendance and punctuality at school is crucial for the academic and social development of the child. Irregular attendance and lateness will always affect a child’s achievement. Full and regular attendance at school is crucial for a child’s future life chances and establishes a positive work ethic early in life.
Below is a summary of absence procedures, to view our full policy please click here. To download our ‘Request for Absence’ form please click here.
Summary of Procedures
Your child is ill
Contact the school office via absences@cuddingtoncroft.org or phone the school on 020 8642 4325 before 9.00am on the morning of the absence or leave a message on the office answerphone and provide the school with an expected date of return.
If they are ill for more than one day, please email or phone in daily before 9.00am.
If your child has either vomiting or diarrhoea, they must stay away from school for 48 hours from the last bout. This is a recommendation from Public Health England to protect other pupils and staff. If a child is sent into school within the 48 hour period, we will contact the parents and ask for the child to be collected from school.
You have a medical or dental appointment
Please make every effort to avoid booking medical and dental appointments during school time. Where this is unavoidable parents should send an email to the school office and attach/scan one of the following:
● A copy of an appointment card/letter
● A copy of any prescription issued
● Evidence of any telephone consultation that you may have had – including the name of the doctor and the date and time the consultation took place
● Written permission from you for the school to make their own enquiries.
Please also:
● Include the time you will need to collect your child
● Copy in the class teacher
Bring your child into school for the remainder of the day
Authorised Absence
Please email the school office via absences@cuddingtoncroft.org if your child is going to be absent for one of the following reasons:
● Official religious observance
● Family bereavement
● Traveller child in process of travelling for the purposes of traveller employment
● Involvement in a public performance;
● ½ day for 11+ testing
● Music/dance examinations
Please also:
● Include the time you will need to collect your child if they are leaving part way through the day
● Copy in the class teacher
Exceptional Leave of Absence
Complete the ‘Request for Absence’ form here and return to the office by hand or email via absences@cuddingtoncroft.org .
We may ask for proof to validate your request.
All requests must be made at least two weeks in advance so that appropriate consideration can be given.
You will be informed whether the absence will be recorded as authorised or unauthorised and contacted to request a meeting with a member of SLT if required. This could result in a fixed penalty – please see the Attendance Policy for more information.
