School Opening Hours: 8.40 - 3.20pm

Before School Club: 7.45am - 8.40am

After School Club: 3pm - 6pm (5pm close on a Friday)

At Caldecote Primary School, we believe that every day counts. Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in helping children achieve their full potential, build confidence and develop positive friendships.

We work closely with families to encourage excellent attendance and to support children in developing positive habits for life. Pupils who attend school regularly are more likely to make good academic progress, enjoy their learning and feel fully part of the school community.

Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting good attendance. If your child is finding it difficult to come to school, or if there is anything affecting their attendance, please speak to your child's class teacher or Mrs Strange. We are here to help and will always work with families to find solutions.

Monitoring Attendance

Attendance is recorded twice each day, during the morning and afternoon registration sessions. This means that each school day is made up of two attendance sessions.

All absences are recorded as either:

• Authorised - where the school has accepted the reason for the absence.
• Unauthorised - where no reason has been provided or the absence has not been approved.

Attendance is regularly monitored by the school's Attendance Officer and leadership team. We review attendance patterns throughout the year and will contact families if we have concerns about a child's attendance or if it begins to fall below expected levels.

Our aim is to work in partnership with parents and carers to support every child in attending school regularly and benefiting fully from their education.

Is my child too ill to attend school?

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether to keep your child off school when they are under the weather. Click here to see NHS guidance to support your decision. 

To help prevent the spread of infection, children who have been sick or experienced diarrhoea should remain at home for 48 hours after their last episode of illness before returning to school.

Reporting a Child's Absence

If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, please contact the school office before 9am on the first day of absence and every day after that. This can be via telephone call or email to office@caldecote.cambs.sch.uk. If we do not receive a reason for your child's absence, it must be recorded as unauthorised in line with government regulations. 

If the school does not receive a reason for absence, Mrs Strange (Headteacher) or Mrs Heijne (Assistant Headteacher), accompanied by Mrs Miles (Pastoral Lead), may visit you at home to discuss the reason for absence and offer support where necessary.  

Our Attendance Goal

We encourage all pupils to achieve attendance of 98% or above, giving them the very best chance to succeed academically, socially and emotionally. By working together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Attendance Ladder

Leave of Absence During Term Time

Parents and carers may request a leave of absence for their child during term time only in exceptional circumstances. Each request is considered individually, taking account of the specific circumstances, the child's attendance record, educational progress, and the potential impact of the absence on their learning and wellbeing.

Family holidays and other leisure activities taken during term time will not normally be authorised.

Requests should be submitted in advance using the school's Leave of Absence Request Form. The Headteacher will determine whether the circumstances are exceptional and whether the absence can be authorised.

Where a request for leave is refused and a pupil is subsequently absent from school, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Unauthorised leave of absence may be referred to the Local Authority and could result in a Penalty Notice being issued in accordance with local authority and national guidance.

Please refer to the Caldecote Primary School Absence Request Form below for further information.