{"id":11029,"date":"2026-07-09T16:16:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T16:16:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/?page_id=11029"},"modified":"2026-07-09T16:16:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T16:16:51","slug":"faqs-frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/faqs-frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs \u2013 Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is good attendance so important?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Regular attendance helps children:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make strong academic progress<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build friendships and feel a sense of belonging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop positive routines and wellbeing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Missing school can make learning more difficult and may affect confidence and emotional health.&nbsp;<strong>Every school day counts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the school\u2019s attendance expectation?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>We expect all pupils to attend school every day unless they are genuinely unable to do so:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Our target for all pupils is 96% attendance or above<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attendance below 90% is classed nationally as persistent absence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attendance below 50% is classed as severe absence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I do if my child is unwell?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>If your child is too unwell to attend school:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contact the school as soon as possible on the first day of absence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continue to inform us each day your child is absent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Absence due to illness is usually authorised. If illness is frequent or prolonged, the school may request medical evidence, but we will not ask for this unnecessarily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will the school contact me if my child is absent?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. If your child is absent and we have not heard from you, we will follow our First Day Response procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Phone calls to parents\/carers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contacting emergency contacts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Further checks to ensure your child is safe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is part of our safeguarding duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens if my child is late?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Being on time is important for learning and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If your child arrives before the register closes, they will be marked late<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If they arrive after the register closes, they will be marked absent for that session (unauthorised)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Persistent lateness is treated in the same way as poor attendance, and we will work with families to improve punctuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I take my child out of school for a holiday?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>No. The law does not allow holidays to be authorised during term time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Leave of absence can only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and family holidays, travel costs, or parents\u2019 work patterns are not considered exceptional.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Any absence taken without permission will be recorded as unauthorised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What may count as \u2018Exceptional Circumstances\u2019?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Exceptional circumstances are rare and unusual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A parent returning from military service with no leave available during school holidays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A medical or emotional need supported by a health professional<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compassionate reasons such as serious illness or bereavement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Each request is considered individually, and evidence will be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I apply for a leave of absence?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Requests must be made in advance using the school\u2019s leave of absence request form.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Headteacher\/HoS will consider the request and respond in writing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Absence taken without written permission will be unauthorised.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What support is available if my child is struggling to attend school?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>We understand that attendance difficulties often have underlying causes and we want to support and understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Support may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understanding discussions with school staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Individual support plans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adjustments for pupils with SEND or medical needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Referrals to additional services where appropriate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our aim is always to work in partnership with families to remove barriers to attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When are penalty notices issued?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>A penalty notice may be considered if a child has 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a rolling 10\u2011week period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Penalty notices are always a last resort, used only when support has been offered and attendance does not improve, or where there is a clear unauthorised absence, such as a term\u2011time holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will I be fined if my child&#8217;s attendance is low?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Not automatically. The school\u2019s priority is to support families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fines may be issued if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attendance concerns are not improved despite support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are repeated unauthorised absences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A term\u2011time holiday is taken without permission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who can I talk to if I&#8217;m worried about my child&#8217;s attendance?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have concerns about your child\u2019s attendance or punctuality, please contact Mrs McLaren\/Mrs Wilson. We encourage parents and carers to speak to us early so that we can offer help and support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why is good attendance so important? Regular attendance helps children: Missing school can make learning more difficult and may affect confidence and emotional health.&nbsp;Every school day counts. What is the school\u2019s attendance expectation? We expect all pupils to attend school every day unless they are genuinely unable to do so: What should I do if [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11029","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11029"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11033,"href":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11029\/revisions\/11033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hartelwickfederation.org.uk\/elwick\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}