Attendance
Our vision is for every child across our Trust to attend school every day with purpose, joy, and a deep sense of belonging. We set a Trust‑wide expectation for attendance to be consistently above the national average for primary pupils, reflecting our belief that excellent attendance is foundational to learning, wellbeing, and lifelong opportunity.
We commit to removing barriers to attendance for all pupils—and especially for groups who nationally face greater challenges, including disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, pupils with social care involvement, and those with persistent or severe absence.
Our aspiration is that every pupil group within our Trust meets or exceeds national attendance benchmarks, closing gaps through proactive support, strong relationships, and early intervention.
We nurture warm, welcoming, and inclusive school communities where families feel respected, listened to, and valued as partners. Through high expectations coupled with high support, we ensure that attendance becomes a positive habit and a shared celebration across our schools.
In our Trust, excellent attendance is a collective commitment— and every day in school matters.
Why Attendance Matters
- Children who attend school regularly achieve more.
- Good attendance supports wellbeing and builds strong routines.
- Absence can disrupt learning and affect progress.
Our Expectations
- Pupils must attend school every day unless there are exceptional circumstances.
- Only the Headteacher can authorise absences.
- Parents must ensure their child arrives on time and attends every session.
Reporting Absence
If your child is absent, you must:
- Contact the school as early as possible, but definitely before 9.20am on the first day of absence.
- Continue to contact the school each day of the absence.
- Provide medical evidence if requested.
You can report absence via:
- Phone: 01438 351053
- Arbor app
- Email: admin@fairlands.herts.sch.uk
- Text: 07970 731154
Authorising Absence
Parents and carers should be aware that only absences which are unavoidable, or for exceptional reasons, will be authorised.
Persistent & Severe Absence
- Persistent Absence: Attendance below 90%.
- Severe Absence: Attendance below 50%.
We work closely with families to support improved attendance and may involve external agencies if needed.
Lateness
Being late affects learning and wellbeing. Children arriving after registration starts (8.50am for most pupils) will be marked as late.
School Day Timings:
- Reception–Year 6: 8.40am–3.20pm
- Nursery AM: 8.30am–11.30am
- Nursery PM: 12.30pm–3.30pm
Leave of Absence
- Holidays during term time are not permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances.
- Requests must be made in writing using the school’s form.
- Unauthorised leave may result in Hertfordshire County Council issuing a fixed penalty of up £80 per child, per parent.
Support for Families
We understand that some children face barriers to attendance. We offer:
- Individual support plans
- Family meetings
- Referrals to external services
- Reasonable adjustments for medical or SEND needs
Key Contacts
- Daily Attendance Queries: School Office, via admin@fairlands.herts.sch.uk or 01438 351053
- Headteacher: Mr Robert Staples – head@fairlands.herts.sch.uk
- Individual Support: Amy McCullagh – amymccullagh@fairlands.herts.sch.uk
Legal Framework
Attendance is a legal requirement. Penalty notices may be issued after 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within a 10-week period. Continued non-attendance may lead to prosecution.