Attendance
School attendance matters
Here are some facts you need to know if you live in Newham and have children of compulsory school age. Newham Council wants to support you to ensure that your children gain the maximum benefit from their education.
A good education leads to better life chances, better employment opportunities and higher earning power. It helps children learn to socialise, to be confident and to be good citizens who make a positive contribution to society.
The points below outline the regulations around school attendance.
- A Penalty Notice incurs a fine of £60 to each parent for each child, if paid within 21 days. If not paid within 21 days but paid within 28 days it rises to £120. If not paid at all, prosecution is automatic.
- Full-time education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 – 17 years.
- Newham Council’s policy is for all children to start school in September of the year in which they turn five years old.
- If you apply for a school place but do not accept it, you will be asked what arrangements you are making to ensure your child receives full-time education, suitable to his/her age, ability and any special educational needs he/she may have.
- If you home educate your child, the Newham Council will check that the education you are providing is suitable.
- If you enrol your child at an independent or faith school, please notify the Attendance Service on 020 3373 0390 otherwise your child may be notified as a ‘Child Missing from Education’ (CME). This would involve checks being conducted to ensure your child is receiving an education.
- Once you have accepted a school place, it is your responsibility to make sure your child attends every day, on time, with no unnecessary days off. Parents can be prosecuted if they do not fulfil this responsibility.
- Term time leave is not authorised.
- Penalty Notice fines can be issued for taking your child out of school in term time, or for reasons related to non-attendance.
For more information please read our Attendance Policy, in the School Policy section.
If you are new to the country we welcome you. If you want to learn or improve your English, enquire with our Family Support Worker Ms Dolan, and you will be given information about local classes.
For further information please contact the Attendance Manager at New City Primary School, Ms. Tokeley 020 8472 2743.
Punctuality
Why is Punctuality Important?
Being on time:
- Gets your child’s day off to a good start and puts them in a positive frame of mind, so that they can make the most of their learning opportunities.
- Sets positive patterns for the future. Pupils need to understand the importance of good punctuality.
- Leads to a good attendance record and means they do not miss any morning notices.
- Leads to better achievement because pupils attend the WHOLE of their classes.
- Leads to understanding that school is important and education is valuable.
- Helps pupils develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and towards others and is a sign of good character.
- Is respectful to their teacher and to their classmates and builds good habits for later in life when their employer pays them to be on time.
- Good punctuality is very important indeed. Research shows that attendance and punctuality are the single most important factors in school success.
- Any late arrivals (after the bell has rang) will be recorded by Ms Dolan and Ms Tokeley
- All late arrivals will register with Ms. Dolan or Ms Tokeley
- Persistent lateness will be followed up with a meeting and this will be closely monitored.
- Children can begin to line up from 8.15 am at the start of the day. The school bell will be rung at 8.25 am and learning will begin at 8.30am. After this time children will be late.
- The school day ends at 2.50 pm and we expect children to be collected on time. Any late children will be taken to our after school provision and a payment will be required for this service.