Attendance
We aim to ensure that all children attend school regularly and on time wherever possible to ensure that they are able to make the most of the educational experiences offered at Saffron Green Primary School. We also aim to raise an awareness of the importance of attendance with our families and so to improve the level and profile of attendance. Any absence of a child’s schooling can seriously affect their learning. As a school, we will encourage parents and carers to ensure that their child achieves maximum possible attendance and that any problems that prevent this are identified and acted upon promptly.
The school recently received a visit from the Local Authority regarding our attendance procedures. Following their guidance, and in line with current Department for Education (DfE) regulations and Hertfordshire County Council expectations. Please fins below a guide of our approach to attendance, lateness, absence requests and fixed penalty notices .
A full and updated Attendance Policy will be shared with all families shortly. However, we would like to highlight several important changes that will begin to take effect immediately.
1. Persistent Absence – 90% Attendance
Children whose attendance falls to 90% or below are classified by the DfE as being in Persistent Absence.
If your child reaches this threshold, the school is required to arrange a meeting with the Headteacher and the Attendance Team to identify barriers, offer support, and agree on steps to improve attendance.
In addition, the school will also monitor children whose attendance falls between 95% and 92%. Families in this range may be invited to a supportive meeting to discuss any emerging concerns and to prevent attendance from declining further.
2. Lateness
Punctuality will be monitored closely.
- If your child arrives late, we will ask for the reason so we can support you and ensure that your child does not miss valuable learning time.
- Lateness after the register closes is recorded as an unauthorised absence for that session. Under Hertfordshire County Council procedures, repeated unauthorised absence—including being late after registers close—may result in a fixed penalty notice (fine).
3. Absence Requests (Including Term-Time Holidays)
If you need to request an absence during term time:
- Email the school with full supporting evidence and the school will send you a request form (also attached at the end of this guide), or
- Collect a form from the school office.
All requests will be reviewed, however holidays during term time will not be authorised.
Unauthorised term-time holidays may lead to a fixed penalty notice issued by Hertfordshire County Council.
4. Reporting Absence
Absence must be reported by 9:15am on the first day of illness.
You can report via:
- Telephone
- Arbor in-app message
If your child is absent due to illness, the school office may contact you to check on their wellbeing. Sometimes children are unwell in the morning but well enough to attend in the afternoon after rest or medication, and we may advise you to bring your child for the afternoon session.
If the school has not received any communication regarding your child’s absence by 9:15am, between that and 9:30am we will contact you by telephone and/or email. If no information has been provided by 9:45am, parents or carers will receive a text message advising that a welfare check may be undertaken. If there is still no response by 10:00am, the school will proceed to carry out a welfare check to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child.
Illness lasting more than two days
In line with Hertfordshire guidance, if a child is absent for more than two days due to illness, the school may request additional information or medical evidence to ensure appropriate safeguarding and support.
5. Medical Appointments
Where possible, medical appointments should be made outside school hours.
If this is not possible, please try to book the appointment so that your child can:
- Attend school before the appointment and return afterwards, or
- Attend the remainder of the day if the appointment is late afternoon.
If your child is seen by a GP/hospital, please provide supporting evidence (e.g., appointment card or a photo of prescribed medication).
6. Fixed Penalty Notices (Fines)
Hertfordshire County Council may issue a fixed penalty notice for:
- Unauthorised absences
- Term-time holidays without permission
- Persistent lateness after registers close
Penalty Notice Costs (Hertfordshire County Council)
- £60 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days
- £120 per parent, per child if paid between 22 and 28 days If the fine is not paid within 28 days, the Local Authority may begin legal proceedings, which could result in prosecution.
These measures follow DfE statutory guidance and aim to improve attendance, which is essential for children’s learning, progress and wellbeing.
Working Together
We understand that families may face challenges, and we are committed to working with you to support good attendance. Please contact the school office or the Attendance Team if you need help or advice.
Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing support in ensuring your child attends school regularly and on time.
