Attendance

Our vision is for every child to attend school every day with joy, purpose, and a strong sense of belonging. Across our Trust, we champion excellent attendance as a shared responsibility and a vital foundation for pupils’ learning, wellbeing, and long‑term success. We foster a culture where all children and families feel welcomed, known, and valued.

Through positive relationships, early support, and compassionate challenge, we remove barriers to attendance and ensure every pupil is able to thrive.

With high expectations and high support, we work in partnership with families and communities so that attending school becomes an embedded habit, a celebrated achievement, and a reflection of the commitment we share to giving each child the best possible start in life. In our Trust, attendance is everyone’s business— and every day counts.

Why Attendance Matters

Children who attend school regularly achieve more.
Good attendance supports wellbeing and builds strong routines.
Absence can disrupt learning and affect progress.

Our Expectations

Pupils must attend school every day unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Only the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher can authorise absences.
Parents/Carers must ensure their child arrives on time and attends every session.
Parents/Carers must engage with any Attendance Action Plans and Professionals who have become involved in improving attendance at school.

Reporting Absence

If your child is absent, you must:

Contact the school as early as possible, but definitely before 9.20am on the first day of absence.
Continue to contact the school each day of the absence.
Provide medical evidence if requested.

You can report absence via:

Phone: 01438 233800
Arbor app
Email: admin@campshill.herts.sch.uk

Authorising Absence

Parents and carers should be aware that only absences which are unavoidable, or for exceptional reasons, will be authorised.

Persistent & Severe Absence

Persistent Absence: Attendance below 90%.
Severe Absence: Attendance below 50%.

We work closely with families to support improved attendance and may involve external agencies if needed.

Lateness

Being late affects learning and wellbeing. Children arriving after registration (9.00am for most pupils) will be marked as late.

School Day Timings:

Reception–Year 6: 8.45am–3.15pm
Nursery AM: 8.40am–11.40am
Nursery PM: 12.10pm–3.10pm

Leave of Absence

Holidays during term time are not permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Requests must be made in writing using the school’s form below. Paper copies are available from the school office.

Absence Request Form

Unauthorised leave may result in Hertfordshire County Council issuing a fixed penalty of up £80 per child, per parent.

Support for Families

We understand that some children face barriers to attendance. We offer:

Individual support plans
Family meetings
Referrals to external services
Reasonable adjustments for medical or SEND needs

Key Contacts

Daily Attendance Queries: School Office, via admin@campshill.herts.sch.uk or 01438 233800
Deputy Headteacher: Mrs Zoe Fleming via admin@campshill.herts.sch.uk
Headteacher: Ms Emma Murray via admin@campshill.herts.sch.uk

Legal Framework

Attendance is a legal requirement. Penalty notices may be issued after 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within a 10-week period. Continued non-attendance may lead to prosecution.