Bousfield Primary School

Attendance

School attendance is compulsory for all pupils of statutory school age. It is essential that children come to school every day and on time, as we know that good attendance leads to good progress. Bousfield works closely with families to support their child’s attendance and provide guidance where needed. We also collaborate with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Early Help Team to ensure robust procedures are in place to promote good attendance and punctuality.

We celebrate good class attendance each week in our assemblies and in the school newsletter, recognising classes who attend school regularly. We have strategies in place to support pupils who find attendance challenging and help every child access their full education.

Parents are expected to read the school's attendance policy. The policy follows statutory guidance from the Department for Education.

Absence

  • Illness should be reported to the school office by 9am either by email or telephone. A detailed reason should be given.
  • We ask parents to try to make appointments for doctors and dentists before or after school.   Where this is impossible, they should inform the School Office, of such an appointment and it will be noted in the register.   We will need to see proof of dental or hospital appointments.

Exceptional Leave

Holidays during term time are not permitted. There are 175 days per year allocated for scheduled holidays.

Exceptional leave may be considered by the headteacher for circumstances that genuinely merit special consideration, such as bereavement. Requests must be submitted using the school’s pro-forma or via email to the admin team: info@bousfield.rbkc.sch.uk

The headteacher may authorise exceptional absence if the following conditions are met:

  • The pupil has maintained at least 96% attendance in the current and previous academic year.
  • The request represents a genuinely exceptional circumstance and is a one-off occurrence.
  • Any previous leave and historic attendance records are taken into account.
  • Leave is almost never authorised immediately before or after scheduled school holidays.
  • Requests citing reasons such as cheaper flights cannot be authorised.

    Holidays during term time are not permitted. There are 175 days per year allocated for scheduled holidays.

Please note:

  • Holidays in term time disrupt your child’s education.
  • Ten days of absence per year is equivalent to 5.3% of your child’s education in that year.
  • Pupils who do not return on time after authorised absence may be removed from the school roll in line with relevant legislation.
  • Musical examinations, and visits to local secondary schools in Year 6 can be authorised; some are classified as educated off site and do not affect your child’s attendance record.
  • The ACE Team - on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea - can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) for non-attendance.