Attendance

Our Senior Attendance Champion (the senior leader responsible for the strategic approach to attendance in our school) is:

Mrs Young, supported by Miss Le’Gallienne (Attendance Officer)

 

At Shavington Primary School, we are proud to be part of a Trust that places high value on excellent attendance. It is not just a school expectation—it is a Trust-wide commitment that every pupil attends school regularly to maximise their learning and development.

Attendance Target for 2026/2027

The Trust’s attendance target for all pupils is 96% across the academic year. This equates to no more than 7 days of absence per year. This target aligns with the Government’s national expectation and reflects our shared belief that consistent attendance is essential for academic success and personal growth.

Why Attendance Matters

Regular attendance ensures that children do not miss vital learning opportunities, especially in core subjects such as reading, writing, and maths. Evidence shows that children with good attendance are more likely to achieve their full potential.

We ask parents and carers to support us by avoiding holidays during term time, as these can significantly disrupt a child’s progress.

Understanding Attendance Percentages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What could happen if attendance drops below 96%?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Report an Absence

Please contact the School Office as soon as possible on each day of absence.

This can be done using the following options:

• telephone and voicemail 01270 661527
• email to admin@shavingtonprimary.co.uk 
• in person

 

Punctuality

Doors open at 8.40am each day and all pupils should be in school and ready to learn by 8.50am.

Classroom doors close at 8.55am so any pupil arriving after this time should report to the School Office.

If your child arrives between 8.55am and 9.20am, they will be marked as late (L code). If they arrive after 9.20am, they will be marked as unauthorised (U code).

We expect punctuality from all pupils. Being “just a little bit late” every day has a significant impact on learning time over the course of a school year.

Being late to school on a regular basis quickly adds up to a significant loss of learning time. 

“They only missed just…”	That equals…	Which is…	And over a school career…
10 minutes per day	50 minutes per week	Nearly 1.5 weeks per year	Nearly 0.5 school years
20 minutes per day	1 hour 40 minutes per week	Over 2.5 weeks per year	Nearly 1 school year
30 minutes per day	Half a day per week	4 weeks per year	Nearly 1.5 school years
1 hour per day	1 day per week	8 weeks per year	Over 2.5 school years

 

Absence During Term Time

The Headteacher will only authorise absences in exceptional circumstances. You will be informed whether the absence is authorised or not. Unauthorised absences can have serious consequences. We urge all families to follow the correct procedures and prioritise school attendance.

To request an absence, parents must complete our Time Absence Request form:

 

https://forms.office.com/e/hrXNvzAqmT

Each request is considered individually by the Headteacher and the outcome will be communicated back to parents via email.

Authorisation for periods of leave is at the Headteacher’s discretion. If the leave is unauthorised, a fixed penalty notice may be issued.

 

Penalty Notices and Legal Responsibilities

Under the Education Act (1996), parents are legally required to ensure their child attends school regularly.

If a pupil has 10 or more unauthorised absences in a rolling 10 week period (including arriving late to school), we will contact Cheshire East Borough Council with a view to issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice.

A Fixed Penalty Notice will be sent to you, accompanied by an explanatory letter; the Notice gives you the opportunity to pay a penalty fine instead of being prosecuted in the criminal courts.

Initial Penalty Notice: £160 per parent, per child (reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days).

Failure to Pay: May result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

From August 2024, if a second penalty notice is issued within a 3-year rolling period, the fine will remain at £160 with no discount. A maximum of two penalty notices may be issued per parent, per child in that period. Further offences may lead to legal action by the Local Authority.

 

We appreciate your continued support in ensuring your child attends school every day. Together, we can give every child the best possible start in life.