Parents are required to contact the school every day for any absence other than holiday. Council policy is that we will contact a parent if a child is absent and no communication has been forthcoming from the parent. We may do this by phone or text message.
At Lochnell School and Nursery we will contact you within 30 minutes of your child’s absence being noted. If we cannot contact you directly we will use the emergency contact information you have given us.
Early Learning and Childcare Attendance
A child’s entitlement to free ELC will be 600 hours generally arranged as 5 x 3 hour and 10 minute sessions over a minimum of 38 weeks within the school year. However, some units are offering a different pattern of provision. Information on what nurseries are offering can be obtained from each nursery or school or on the Council website.
Children who attend in a regular pattern settle well into the early learning and childcare routine, have the opportunity to build firm relationships with adults and peers and experience continuity of learning. During the induction period however, adaptations are made to meet the needs to of the individual child.
School Attendance
Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly and arrive on time. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of their children on their journeys to and from school.
Regular and punctual attendance is linked closely to achievement and school staff wish to work with parents/carers to ensure that children can reach their full potential. The school is required by law to maintain an accurate record of the attendance and absence of each pupil and parents/carers are requested to assist in this process by keeping the school informed if their child is to be absent for any reason.
It is important to note that if a child does not arrive at school and there is no reasonable explanation provided for his/her absence then members of staff will be required to ascertain the whereabouts and safety of the individual child. In order to avoid causing unnecessary concern for staff and parents/carers, the importance of good communication between home and school cannot be over-emphasised.
Parents/carers are asked to assist school staff in the manner detailed below:
Parents are required to contact the school every day for any absence. Council policy is that we will contact a parent if a child is absent and no communication has been forthcoming from the parent. We may do this by phone or text message. At Lochnell School and Nursery we will contact you within 30 minutes of your child’s absence being noted. If we cannot contact you directly we will use the emergency contact information you have given us.
Planned Absence
- Parents/carers are encouraged not to arrange family holidays during term time but it is realised that, in exceptional circumstances, this is unavoidable. In such cases, parents/carers are asked to seek permission from the Head Teacher and provide information of the dates when the child is to be absent from the school in good time.
- Except in cases of emergency, planned appointments for children to attend the dentist or doctor should be made outwith the school day.