Attendance

Every day matters

At West Town Primary Academy, we want every child to be happy, safe and successful at school.

Coming to school every day helps children to learn, make friends and feel part of our school community.

We expect all children to attend school every day unless there is a good reason for them to be absent.

We know that sometimes children may find it difficult to come to school. If you are having problems with attendance, please talk to us. We are here to help.

Is my child too ill for school?

If your child is unwell, you may find the NHS guidance helpful:

Is my child too ill for school?

The NHS advises that children with minor coughs or colds can usually still attend school if they are otherwise well and do not have a high temperature.

If your child is too ill for school, please contact the school office every morning they are absent, between 8.00am and 8.40am:

Telephone: 01733 852400
Email: office@westtownprimary.org

If we do not hear from you, we will contact you to make sure your child is safe.

Medical appointments

Please make medical and dental appointments outside school hours whenever possible.

If your child needs an appointment during the school day, please tell the office in advance and provide evidence of the appointment.

Where possible, children should come to school before or after their appointment.

Being on time

School starts at 8.30am and finishes at 3.15pm.

Please make sure your child arrives on time and is ready to learn.

Children who arrive late miss important learning and can find it harder to settle into their day.

If your child arrives after the register closes at 9.00am, this is recorded as an unauthorised absence for that session.

If getting to school on time is difficult, please talk to us. We will try to help.

Holidays and absence during term time

Please do not book holidays or trips during term time.

Every school day matters. When children miss school, they miss important learning.

There is no entitlement to take a child out of school for a holiday during term time. Leave can only be agreed by the Headteacher in exceptional circumstances.

If you believe there are exceptional circumstances, you must complete an Exceptional Term Time Leave of Absence Request Form before the absence.

Booking or paying for a holiday does not mean the absence will be authorised.

If the absence is not authorised:

• it will be recorded as unauthorised absence
• 5 days of unauthorised absence (10 sessions) within a 10-school-week period can meet the national threshold for legal action
• you may receive a Penalty Notice (fine).

The Trust's current documentation states that a first Penalty Notice is £160 per parent, per child, reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.

Please book family holidays and trips during the school holidays.

We are here to help

We understand that sometimes children find coming to school difficult.

If your child is worried about school, or there are family, health or other problems affecting their attendance, please talk to us as soon as possible.

We will listen and work with you to help your child attend school regularly.

More information

You can find further information in the documents below:

• Meridian Trust Attendance Policy
• Trust Attendance Letter – September 2026
• Exceptional Term Time Leave of Absence Request Form

If you need help or have a question about attendance, please contact the school office

Further information can be found  here.