Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back after, what I hope was, a relaxing easter break. It was great to see everyone back looking ready for the summer term.

This term will be incredibly busy and the staff have so many exciting plans for the children to experience, The Book Fair arrives at school on Monday (details below); Sports Day and a School Disco to name just a few. Please keep an eye on the newsletter/Ping messages to ensure that you don't miss any details. 

As we move into summer term I wanted to just make clear the expectations for uniform remain the same. As outlined in the uniform policy, summer dresses and shorts are permitted - However, crocs/flip-flops are not suitable for school.

Here's to a great summer term!

Mr Larner

Mr Larner's Joke of the Week

When is the best time to visit the dentist?

Tooth - hurty (2:30)

This term our value is Compassion.  Once again we asked the children to design a logo about what this means to us at Kingsholm.

We received so many wonderful designs and as always it was very difficult to choose.

Well done to  who designed our lower school logo ( KS1) and to  who designed our upper school logo( KS2).  These will now be displayed on the website and our values displays.

The next value will be shared in due course and we will ask the children to design a new logo for this value. 

At Kingsholm, we recognise the importance of regular attendance. All pupils should attend school for every session that is available to them, unless the reason for their absence is one that meets the school’s criteria for authorising absences, e.g. illness, non-routine medical/dental appointments, religious observance.

Please ensure your children are in school every day, on time and ready to start learning.
We thank our Kingsholm family for all of your support and understanding of the importance of good, regular and punctual attendance.  

To help to improve attendance, here are some important key facts and reminders of how we can work together to be our best:

What is ‘regular’ attendance and why is it important?

• Being in school every day gives your child the best chance possible to achieve their potential.
• It is the local and national expectation that children attend school 100% of the time. However, it is important to note that we understand exceptional circumstances and that illness happens. 
• Children should attend school unless they are genuinely too ill to attend, or have the absence authorised by the Headteacher. 
• Parents and carers should only ask for a leave of absence from school in exceptional circumstances. These are defined as those that are rare, significant, unavoidable and short.

Lateness

Pupils who are late for school miss vital learning time and disrupt the start of the day for others in the class and teachers. All pupils should be at school before the gate closes at 8:50am.

• The morning register is taken in the classroom at 8.50am. Any pupil arriving after 8.50am will be registered as late (L code) and the minutes of lateness will be recorded in the register.
• Any pupil who arrives later than 9.20am, without a legitimate reason, will be coded with a U code which is unauthorised. Regular unauthorised lateness can lead to a fixed penalty notice being issued.

Authorised absence

You have informed the school that your child will not be in and the reason you have provided is acceptable. 

Unauthorised absence

Your child does not attend school and you have not informed us of the reason why, or the reason provided is not acceptable. 

What parents / carers can do to help promote good attendance:

• Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day.
• Follow the school’s procedures for notifying absence, and always let the school know of any days that your child is unable to attend.
• Take an interest in your child’s education.
• Ask them about their day and praise and encourage their achievements at school.
• If your child is missing school or is seemingly unhappy, you should discuss your concerns with your child.
• Make sure your child understands that you do not approve of them missing school, but be on the alert for any particular reasons for non-attendance, such as any problems with school work.
• Contact the school as soon as possible when a concern is identified so that we can work together to resolve any difficulties.
• Be willing to engage with any support offered by the school.

Legal Duty as a Parent / Carer

Once a child is registered at a school, the parent / carer has a legal duty to secure the regular attendance of that child. Failure to secure the regular attendance at school of a registered pupil is a criminal offence which can lead to a fixed penalty notice being issued or prosecution of the parents/carers in a magistrates’ court.

What should I do if I am struggling to get my child to school?

Please let us know. Your child’s health and wellbeing are important to us. We will work with you to offer appropriate support.

However, if you do not engage with the support the school has put in place and your child continues to have unauthorised absences you are at risk of a fixed penalty notice being issued by the Local Authority.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

How to contact the school office: Telephone 01452 530777 or email virtualoffice@kingsholm.gloucs.sch.uk

Weekly Year Group Attendance

Week beginning 9th January

Reception  87.3%
Year 1        94.1%
Year 2        94.8 %
Year 3        94.3%
Year 4        92.2%
Year 5        93.9%
Year 6        92.9%
Whole School 92.9%