Attending school regularly and punctually is essential if children are to make the most of the educational opportunities available to them. Upon starting school you will be provided with a copy of our leaflet A GUIDE TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE FOR PARENTS & CARERS which explains the importance of good attendance and your role as a parent/carer.

Chipping Hill School attendance figures for 2008/9

Parents/carers do not have an automatic right to take children on family holidays during term time.

The Headteacher is in a position to consider authorising term time holiday in the following two circumstances ONLY:

• For service personnel and similar employees who are prevented from taking holidays outside term time, only if the holiday will have minimal disruption to the pupil’s education
• When a family needs to spend time together to support each other during or after a major family crisis.

Parents/carers will be asked to complete a holiday form and will be interviewed by the Headteacher.

If a child is taken out of school without authorisation from the Headteacher it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence, put on the pupil’s record and reported to the Education Welfare Officer. Such an unauthorised absence may incur a fine of £50 per parent for each child absent rising to £100 if not paid within 28 days.