Attendance and Absence
Regular attendance is essential for children’s learning, wellbeing and progress. We appreciate your support in helping your child attend school whenever possible.
Regular attendance is essential for children’s learning, wellbeing and progress. We appreciate your support in helping your child attend school whenever possible.
Reporting an Absence
Parents and carers must contact the school by 09:00 on the first day of absence.
The preferred method of communicating your child's absence is via email or through the Xpressions app. However, you may also phone into the school office. When contacting the school, parents/carers should explain the reason for your child’s non-attendance.
This communication is important to ensure your child’s safety and to avoid unnecessary procedures. If we cannot confirm a child’s whereabouts, schools may be required to involve external agencies such as Social Services or the Police.
Parents and carers must contact the school by 09:00 on the first day of absence.
The preferred method of communicating your child's absence is via email or through the Xpressions app. However, you may also phone into the school office. When contacting the school, parents/carers should explain the reason for your child’s non-attendance.
This communication is important to ensure your child’s safety and to avoid unnecessary procedures. If we cannot confirm a child’s whereabouts, schools may be required to involve external agencies such as Social Services or the Police.
Daily Registration
Registers are taken twice a day at Earlston Primary School:
Registers are taken twice a day at Earlston Primary School:
- Morning registration
- Afternoon registration
Long-Term or Frequent Absence Due to Ill Health
Some children may be absent for extended periods due to illness or hospitalisation. When supported by appropriate medical information, arrangements may be made between parents and school to support learning at home.
Please contact the school if you think this may be required.
Some children may be absent for extended periods due to illness or hospitalisation. When supported by appropriate medical information, arrangements may be made between parents and school to support learning at home.
Please contact the school if you think this may be required.
Family Holidays and Extended Leave
National guidance is clear that family holidays taken during term time are normally recorded as unauthorised unless there are exceptional circumstances relating to the wellbeing of the family.
Reasons not accepted include:
Requests for extended visits to relatives must be made in writing, including:
If no explanation is provided, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
Teachers are not required to provide work for children taken out of school for holidays. Any missed learning should be caught up when the pupil returns.
National guidance is clear that family holidays taken during term time are normally recorded as unauthorised unless there are exceptional circumstances relating to the wellbeing of the family.
Reasons not accepted include:
- Cheap holiday availability
- Preferred accommodation availability
- Poor weather during school holidays
- Holidays overlapping the end of term
- Parents struggling to get leave (except in specific circumstances)
Requests for extended visits to relatives must be made in writing, including:
- Destination
- Duration
- Details of how your child’s education will continue during the absence
If no explanation is provided, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
Teachers are not required to provide work for children taken out of school for holidays. Any missed learning should be caught up when the pupil returns.
Our Approaches to Supporting Positive Attendance
At Earlston Primary School, we closely monitor attendance to ensure we are providing the right support for every child.
Each month, we review an attendance report from our school database to track each child’s overall attendance.
If a child’s attendance has fallen below 90% over the last month, and their overall attendance is also below 90%, we will make contact with parents or carers. This communication is part of our supportive approach and is not intended as a criticism.
The aim of this conversation is to:
We recognise that every family’s circumstances are unique, and our goal is always to work collaboratively to ensure children can access their learning and thrive.
You can view the Scottish Borders Council Attendance Policy by clicking the button below:
At Earlston Primary School, we closely monitor attendance to ensure we are providing the right support for every child.
Each month, we review an attendance report from our school database to track each child’s overall attendance.
If a child’s attendance has fallen below 90% over the last month, and their overall attendance is also below 90%, we will make contact with parents or carers. This communication is part of our supportive approach and is not intended as a criticism.
The aim of this conversation is to:
- Highlight any recent drop in attendance
- Identify any barriers that may be affecting attendance
- Work together to find supportive solutions that promote positive, consistent school attendance
We recognise that every family’s circumstances are unique, and our goal is always to work collaboratively to ensure children can access their learning and thrive.
You can view the Scottish Borders Council Attendance Policy by clicking the button below:
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National Policy on Attendance and Absence
All Scottish schools follow national legislation and guidance on school attendance. Parental Duty to Provide Education Under Section 30 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives an efficient education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude. Most parents meet this duty by sending their child to a local authority school, which means ensuring regular attendance. Parents who choose to educate their child outwith school still have a legal responsibility to ensure an appropriate education is provided. Under Section 37 of the Act, parents must satisfy the Education Authority that this education is efficient and suitable. |