Good attendance at school is very important for your child's development academically, socially and emotionally.

Please see below for a link to our 'Attendance' video.

https://www.loom.com/share/791c2c786f7a44f08cf671390860dbd2

Here we explain how important it is that our children are punctual and ready for school each day. We also discuss how we all can work together to support children who are struggling with poor attendance. We want every child at St Mary's to be happy and reach their full potential, and therefore we want to ensure they have access to the education they are entitled to.

There are some fantastic resources provided by Surrey on EBSNA (Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance) on the Surrey Local offer website

https://www.surreylocaloffer.org.uk/parents-and-carers/education-and-training/ebsna 

There is also a PADLET filled with resources for parents and carers

https://padlet.com/SEPSpadlet/ebsna-resources-for-parents-uivg8008d0f3qmwr 

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Absence will be authorised by the headteacher for:

• Genuine cases of illness. 
• On compassionate grounds or for exceptional circumstances.
• A date, which is exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which the child’s parents belong.

For exceptional circumstances or dates set apart for religious observation an Absence Request Form needs to be completed before the event. For further information please see our Pupil Attendance Policy in the Policies area of the website.

Routine medical appointments should be planned for times outside school hours. Where this is not possible, proof of medical appointment will be required to supplement the absence request form. 

Any child who is kept away from school without one of the reasons above or without a note from the parent, will be marked down as an unauthorised absence. If your child is away through illness it is, therefore, essential that you phone the school by 9.20am on the first day. The Local Authority can apply fixed penalties to families who keep their children off school for no valid reason. These penalties are per child per parent. Please refer to our Attendance Policy on the website.