Attendance

Dunston Primary and Nursery Academy is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all pupils. We believe it is extremely important for pupils to attend regularly and on time. This will give them the best opportunity to progress and succeed at school.

Ensuring a child’s regular attendance at school is a parent / carer’s legal responsibility.

HOW TO NOTIFY US OF YOUR CHILD’S ABSENCE

If your child is unable to attend school due to illness or unavoidable circumstances, you are required to contact the school on each day of absence by telephoning the school office on:  01246  450601

Planned Absence

For pupils required to attend a scheduled medical / dentist appointment, the parent/carer must notify the academy in advance of the appointment.

However, we encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours.

Family Holidays

As an academy we follow the government guidelines of zero tolerance of holidays during term time. If you consider your request to be exceptional circumstances, then you can apply for the time off using a Leave of Absence Request Form.  This must be completed prior to any absence. Completed forms should be given to the School office.  The Head of Academy will review each application and provide a response.

HOW WE MONITOR ATTENDANCE

If a telephone call is not received from parents, the parents will be contacted on the first day of absence by text and telephone. 

If required a welfare visit will be made. 

We review overall attendance over blocks of six weeks (may be slightly more or less depending on length of half terms)

When attendance falls to 90% pupils are registered on the red list.

Parents Support can be offered to help to improve Pupil attendance.