Attendance
At Appleshaw St Peter’s, we believe that excellent attendance is the foundation of a successful and happy school experience. When children are here, they are learning, building friendships, and growing in confidence.
⏰ The School Day & Weekly Hours
At Appleshaw St Peter’s, we make the most of every moment. Our school day is structured to provide a balance of core academic learning, creative subjects, and essential time for physical activity and social development.
Our Daily Routine
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8:40 AM: School gates open. Staff are on hand to welcome children.
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8:50 AM: School Starts. Registration and "Morning Work" begin immediately.
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10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Morning Break.
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12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunchtime.
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3:30 PM: School Ends. Children are dismissed from their classrooms.
Total Weekly Hours
In line with Department for Education (DfE) requirements, Appleshaw St Peter’s provides a school week that exceeds the minimum expectation of 32.5 hours.
Our total weekly opening time is 33 hours and 20 minutes. (Based on a standard week of 8:50 AM to 3:30 PM daily).
Why Every Minute Matters
At Appleshaw St Peter’s, our day starts at 8:50 AM. Those first few minutes are crucial for "Morning Work" and settling in. When a child is late, it can create significant gaps in their learning over time.
Here is how daily lateness adds up over one school year:
| Lateness per Day | Lost Learning per Year | Impact on Your Child |
| 5 Minutes | 3 Full Days | Small gaps in "Morning Starter" tasks. |
| 10 Minutes | 6.5 Full Days | Missing the introduction to Core Subjects. |
| 15 Minutes | 10 Full Days | Equivalent to 2 weeks of school lost. |
| 20 Minutes | 13 Full Days | Significant "Knowledge Gaps" appearing. |
| 30 Minutes | 19 Full Days | Nearly one full month of education missed. |
A Note for Parents: Arriving on time doesn't just help with academics; it allows your child to greet their friends and start the day feeling calm and prepared. If you are finding mornings difficult, please reach out to us—we are here to help.
We understand that every family faces different challenges—whether it’s illness, anxiety, or logistical hurdles. Our goal is to work with you, not against you. If your child is struggling to come to school, please talk to us early so that we can work together to find a solution.
Procedures
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Reporting Absence: Please call the school office on 01264 772210 by 9:15 AM on every day of absence.
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Lateness: The gates close at 8:50 AM. Arriving just 5 minutes late every day adds up to 3 days of lost learning over a year.
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Medical Appointments: Please try to book routine dental or GP appointments outside of school hours. If an appointment is unavoidable, please provide an appointment card or letter.
Term-Time Leaves of Absence
In line with Hampshire County Council and DfE regulations, the Headteacher cannot authorise any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
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Taking a holiday during term time results in "unauthorised absence."
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Fixed Penalty Notices may be issued by the Local Authority for unauthorized absences of 5 days or more.
- Under the new National Framework for Penalty Notices (August 2024), all schools are required to consider a fine if a child misses 10 sessions (5 days) for unauthorised reasons.
| Attendance % | Days Missed | Impact on Learning |
|---|---|---|
| 98% - 100% | 0 - 4 Days | Excellent: Best chance of success. |
| 95% | 9 Days | Caution: Nearly 2 weeks of missed lessons. |
| 90% | 19 Days | Persistent Absentee: Missing 4 weeks a year. |
| 85% | 28 Days | Serious Concern: Over half a term missed. |
For NHS-recommended advice on common childhood illnesses and guidance on when your child should stay off school, visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
If you require to take your child out of school during term time, all requests should be made in writing using the following form:
