School start time update

July 5 2023

Dear Parents/carers

I am writing to inform you of a change in start time from September. This is because our school week falls short of the recommended 32.5 hours the government stipulates.

This means that from the new academic year our start time will be 8.30am. The gates will open from 8.25am and will close at 8.45am. If your child arrives after 8.45am they will be marked as late in the register. School will finish at 3pm for all year groups.

Breakfast Club will continue to operate from 7.30am.

In order to help families prepare for this change in start time, we are going to start school at 8.30am for the last week of the school year (17^th – 21^st July). Classroom doors will close at 8.45am so after this time you will have to sign your child in at the school office. If your child arrives on their own, you will be contacted to let you know they have arrived late.

Please make sure your child arrives at school on time. Their first lesson will have started by 8.45am and so if they are late they will have missed crucial learning.

Can I also ask you to think about term time holidays and the impact that this can have on their learning? If your child’s attendance drops below 90% this is classed as ‘persistent absence’ and means they are missing a substantial amount of learning. All children have odd days off due to illness and so if you have a holiday as well this means that attendance can easily fall below 90%. I have attached a chart which clearly shows the impact absences can have on a child’s ability to make progress. Please take time to read this carefully. If your child’s attendance drops below 90% you will be contacted by school.

If you have any questions, please contact school.

Yours sincerely, Miss J. Barker

Overall attendance level	Number of days lost each year	Impact on child’s education
97%+	5 days or less	These children have every chance to make really strong progress at school.
95%	10 days	These children benefit from strong overall attendance and are well placed to make good progress at school.
90%	19 days	Children in this group are missing a month of school per year; it will be difficult for them to achieve their best.
85%	29 days	Children in this group are missing six weeks of school per year; there is a real risk that this lower attendance will hinder a child’s progress. Absence below 90% is considered to be persistent absenteeism.
80%	38 days	Children in this group are missing a full year of school over five years of education. They are not benefitting from their right to be educated.

The tables below highlight the impact absence can have your child’s education. Please bear this in mind when booking holidays, taking that extra day off for illness etc.