Attendance & Absence
Every Day Matters
At Manuden Primary School, we want every child to attend school regularly, arrive on time and make the most of every opportunity available to them.
Our approach reflects our school vision:
Growing Hearts, Growing Minds, Growing Dreams
Good attendance supports children's learning, wellbeing, friendships, personal development and safeguarding. Regular attendance helps children feel part of their class and school community and gives them the best possible opportunity to succeed.
We recognise that there may be occasions when children cannot attend school and that some pupils and families may experience barriers to regular attendance. Our approach is therefore based on high expectations, early support and working positively with families.
The School Day
The school day begins promptly.
Gates open: 8:40am
Registration begins: 8:45am
Registration closes: 9:00am
End of the school day: 3:15pm
Children arriving after 8:45am will be recorded as late.
Children arriving after the register closes at 9:00am will normally be recorded as an unauthorised late arrival for the morning session unless an appropriate authorised absence code applies.
Being on time matters. Arriving late can mean missing important teaching, routines and information at the beginning of the day.
If Your Child Is Absent
If your child is unable to attend school, please contact the School Office before 9:00am on the first day of absence.
You should contact us again before 9:00am on each subsequent day of absence, unless other arrangements have been agreed with the school.
Please provide:
- your child's name;
- their class;
- the reason for absence; and
- any information that may help us understand when they are likely to return.
Telephone: 01279 813370
Email: office@manuden.essex.sch.uk
If we have not received a reason for a child's absence, the school will follow this up as part of our safeguarding and attendance procedures.
Illness
Children should attend school whenever they are well enough to do so.
A parent's explanation will normally be sufficient for an absence due to illness, and we will not routinely request medical evidence. However, where absence is repeated or prolonged, we may work with families to better understand the circumstances and identify any support or reasonable adjustments that may help.
If you are unsure whether your child is well enough to attend school, NHS guidance can help.
NHS – Is my child too ill for school?
Medical and Dental Appointments
Wherever possible, routine medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours.
We recognise that this is not always possible. Where an appointment must take place during the school day, please inform the School Office in advance and provide appropriate appointment information where requested.
Children should attend school before or after the appointment whenever reasonably possible.
Term-Time Holidays and Leave of Absence
There is no automatic entitlement to take a child out of school for a holiday or other leisure activity during term time.
Leave of absence during term time may only be granted by the Headteacher where exceptional circumstances exist. Each application is considered individually.
Requests must be made in writing and in advance.
Where leave has not been authorised, the absence will normally be recorded as unauthorised. Unauthorised absence may result in referral to Essex County Council and consideration of a penalty notice or other legal action in accordance with the national framework and Essex procedures.
When Attendance Becomes a Concern
We monitor attendance regularly so that emerging difficulties can be identified early.
A pupil is considered persistently absent when they have missed 10% or more of the school sessions available to them, regardless of whether those absences were authorised or unauthorised.
We will not simply wait for attendance to reach a particular percentage before offering support.
Where attendance begins to decline, we may:
- contact parents or carers to discuss the pattern;
- explore any barriers affecting attendance;
- agree appropriate support or reasonable adjustments;
- work with other professionals or Essex County Council where appropriate; and
- monitor attendance closely to evaluate whether support is helping.
The DfE's current statutory guidance emphasises early identification, working with families and providing support before legal intervention is considered.
Attendance, SEND and Medical Needs
We recognise that some pupils with SEND, disabilities or medical conditions may experience additional barriers to attendance.
We will work with pupils, families and relevant professionals to understand those barriers and make reasonable adjustments where appropriate.
Our aim is to support children to access as much education as possible while responding sensitively to their individual circumstances.
Working Together
Improving attendance works best when school and families work together.
Please speak to us early if your child is experiencing difficulties that are affecting their attendance. This might include health, anxiety, family circumstances, transport, friendships or another barrier.
We would much rather work with a family before attendance becomes a significant concern.
Attendance Contacts
Senior Attendance Champion
Phil Molyneux – Headteacher
For day-to-day attendance matters, absence reporting or support:
Lizzie Grant – School Business Manager
Email: office@manuden.essex.sch.uk
Telephone: 01279 813370
Pupil Attendance Policy
Full details of our attendance expectations, procedures, support arrangements and statutory responsibilities can be found in:
Pupil Attendance Policy 2026–27
Further Information
Department for Education – Working Together to Improve School Attendance