Attendance

At Asquith Primary School, we believe that good attendance at school is not just valuble, it is essential. Going to school is directly linked to improved academic performance which in turn leads to further opportunities and better job prospects.  As well as this, going to school helps to develop children's social skills and friendships. Students who miss school frequently can fall behind with their work and do less well in exams.

At Asquith Primary School, we encourage good attendance through weekly class rewards for the best and most improved attendances. We work closely with families who need our help to improve attendance by providing advice and support.

Regular and punctual attendance is extremely important so this is monitored very carefully. We will work with you to ensure that your child attends school. Unauthorised absence of more than 10 sessions (1 session equals half a day) or more could incur a penalty notice from Leeds City Council.

Our whole school attendance target is 95%.

If your child is ill

If your child is ill one day, please contact the school office by 8:45am. You will need to share what is wrong with your child as some illnesses will require a child to be off for a specified period of time. We would appreciate being kept up to date with progress so if your child is going to be off school for subsequent days, please continue to inform the office. If you do not contact the office, the school will ring you and ask for the reason for absence.

If your child has a medical appointment

If your child is missing school due to a medical appointment you must inform school and present the appointment card or email this to the school (attendance@asquithprimary.org) so that a copy can be retained on your child's file. We politely request that appointments are made out of school where possible.

Requesting a leave of absence

We strongly advise against taking children on holiday during term time as this means lost learning time. As per the Government guidance, since 2013 schools cannot authorise holidays during term time and should you choose to book a holiday during term time, you may incur a fine from Leeds City Council. Fines are £60 per child, per parent if paid within 21 days. If paid between 22 and 28 days, the fine becomes £120 per child, per parent. If the fine is not paid then the parents / carers face prosecution.

We undersand that there may be some exception circumstances where a leave of absence may be requested but these still may not be authorised. 

A paper version of the Leave of Absence Form can be collected from the school office and handed in. Alternatively it can be emailed to: attendance@asquithprimary.org

If you have any attendance concerns or queries, please contact Mrs Hill-Pearson, our Pastoral-Wefare Manager.

Please note that school does not benefit financially from any fines that have been issued; but we are duty bound to report absence due to holidays to the Council.