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.

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. 

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.

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 17th November

Reception  87.3%
Year 1        94.9%
Year 2        95.2%
Year 3        92.2%
Year 4        93.0%
Year 5       94.4%
Year 6        91.7%
Whole School 92.7%   

Week beginning 24th November

Reception  86.9%
Year 1        92.5%
Year 2        93.1%
Year 3        92.7%
Year 4        91.6%
Year 5        87.0%
Year 6        91.4%
Whole School 90.8%    

Hello Forest School families and friends,

It's been a busy couple of weeks at Forest School nearly all the leaves are off the trees and we can see the branches and twigs against the sky.  We were thrilled to welcome parents and carers of the Y1 children last week cold but dry weather allowed us to gather round the fire and cook popcorn, experiment with making sparks and the children absolutely loved showing their grown ups over the FS site.  This week we have had spirited games of hide and seek, used the measuring tape to find out the size of a big hole, gone on a mushroom hunt and drawn some that we saw, made  clay to match some art clay that made a Roman coil pot, lived in the Stone age, and opened a very successful jam shop.  Our Y3 classes have been having some thinking time too, to consider how they feel at FS as part of nature.  Some of the words they used were calm, joyful, excited, playful, happy and quiet.  I am so happy to tell you that time in nature is improving the children's wellbeing.

Have a lovely weekend all,

Kate Shepherd, Forest School Leader

Forest School Plea -  We are in need of volunteers to help with our Forest school sessions.... If you could spare a few hours ( morning sessions - 9am - 11:45) ( afternoon sessions - 1:30pm - 2:55pm) we'd love to hear from you, please contact the school office.

• All day Tuesday
• Wednesday Morning
• Thursday morning
• Friday All day

Our Ministers have been working hard over the last fortnight. They have supported the PTFA with Festive Friday, choosing some addittional activities that they will help to run. They have been bringing their organisational skills to the Library, sorting out the shelves, heights of books and ensuring that everything is in the right place.The Eco Ministers continue to help our Forest School Lead, and think about helping our school become more eco friendly.