Attendance

Holidays are anticipated to be scheduled within official school breaks. Parents are not entitled to remove their children from school for holiday purposes during term periods. The Headteacher may exercise discretion in certain cases. Requests for absences are handled with understanding, but approval is granted only under exceptional circumstances. To request leave, including holidays, a Leave of Absence form must be submitted, obtainable from the school office. Holidays taken during term time are strictly prohibited and will be designated as unauthorised.

Our Leave of Absence form can be found here: https://downton-pri.wilts.sch.uk/absence-request

We operate an approved pick up system where each class has a list of people approved by parents who can collect their child from school. You can amend or check your approved pick up list at any time by contacting the school office.

Should there be any alterations to the arrangements for picking up your child, please notify the school. School staff are accessible in the playground both at the beginning and end of each day for your convenience. In the event of any unexpected changes, such as someone other than the individual recognised by the staff or those on your approved list will be collecting your child, please contact the school office at 01725 510556 before 2.30pm. Calling before 2.30pm ensures sufficient time for us to relay messages to classrooms before the day concludes.

If you arrive at school after 8:50am, you must sign the late register in the school office. Failure to do so means that your child will remain absent on the school register and would be recorded as unauthorised until a reason is provided. It could also mean that your child will not be included in the school meal numbers for the day.

If you know your child will be late or absent due to a medical, optical, dental or other appointment, please complete the online form in advance of the absence so we can record this accordingly. Where possible, please make all doctors', dentists', opticians' and other appointments for after school hours. All unreported absences will be recorded as unauthorised until we establish why your child is not at school.

Please report your child’s absence in person or by telephone to the School Office on 01725 510556 before 9.00am or via admin@downton-pri.wilts.sch.uk. The school telephone system has an attendance reporting mailbox. If you are uncertain whether your child should stay at home, please check the Infection Prevention & Control guidance on our policy page or seek medical advice.

Please note that you must report your child’s illness every day, regardless of reason, as part of our Safeguarding Policy.