School Times

The gates open at 08:35 and shut at 08:45

Morning Session runs from 08:45 - 12:00 and the Afternoon Session (13:00 - 15:15)

Attendance

At Sir John Moore Primary School, we are committed to fostering a positive learning environment where every child can grow, achieve, and reach their full potential. We believe that consistent and punctual attendance is essential for children to fully engage in their learning and benefit from the rich educational opportunities available to them.

In line with our Christian values of compassion and our G.R.I.T. skills, including resilience and growth mindset, we work in partnership with families to ensure that pupils attend school regularly. We understand that challenges may arise, but we are dedicated to supporting parents and carers in overcoming any barriers to attendance. Our goal is to create a welcoming and nurturing community that enables all children to thrive both academically and personally.

By encouraging strong attendance, we aim to provide each child with the foundation for a successful education, instilling lifelong habits of responsibility, perseverance, and a love of learning.

“Every child has the right to education. Primary education must be free and fair for all children, and we should strive to ensure every child completes their education.”
– Article 28, The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child -

At Sir John Moore Primary School, we believe that attendance is a shared responsibility between the school, parents, carers, and the wider community. Our Attendance Policy is a core aspect of our commitment to safeguarding, well-being, and inclusive education, supported by our wider policies on Safeguarding, Behaviour, Anti-Bullying, and SEND. We uphold this policy in line with the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.

Excellent attendance provides children with the opportunity to:

Build lasting friendships;
Engage fully in learning and exciting new experiences;
Develop skills essential for future life;
Participate in a variety of school and extracurricular activities;
Cultivate independence and self-confidence;
Feel safe, valued, and heard within our Christian community;
Enhance their life prospects and future career opportunities;
Contribute positively to the Sir John Moore community.

The Importance of Punctuality:

While most of our pupils arrive at school on time, a small number can arrive late. Even a few minutes of lateness can disrupt the child's learning and cause difficulties for them in settling into the day’s routine.

The Role of Parents and Carers:

We ask that parents and carers support the school in promoting the value of education and regular attendance by:

Engaging with their child about school and encouraging a positive attitude towards learning;
Informing the school promptly about any absence and the reason for it;
Avoiding unnecessary absences, such as making medical appointments outside of school hours wherever possible, and providing documentation for appointments;
Communicating with the school about any challenges that may affect their child’s attendance, and seeking support when needed;
Ensuring their child arrives punctually each day;
Engaging with any support or interventions offered if their child's attendance becomes a concern;
Maintaining a positive partnership with the school, fostering consistency between home and school;
Encouraging a healthy routine at home, such as setting appropriate bedtimes and preparing for the school day the night before;
Avoiding keeping their child off school for non-essential reasons such as shopping or household tasks;
Refraining from taking holidays during term-time. If an exceptional circumstance arises, parents are encouraged to submit a written request to the Head Teacher well in advance of the trip.

By working together, we can ensure that every child at Sir John Moore Primary School has the best possible start to their education, setting them up for success in the future.

Working Together to Improve School Attendance, Department for Education. Statutory guidance for maintained schools, academies, independent schools and local authorities, August 2024