Attendance

If you would like to download a copy of the Anthony Gell Cluster of schools application form for a leave of absence, you can do so by clicking here. Alternatively, please call into the school office and we can provide you with a paper copy.

We are extremely proud of the high attendance that we achieve, and we work hard to support every child to come to school regularly.

In September 2013 the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 came into force.  These regulations make it clear that Headteachers should not grant approval for any leave of absence during term-time, including holidays, unless there are exceptional circumstances.  These regulations also state that holidays cannot be authorised retrospectively.

Time out of school will only ever be granted for exceptional circumstances.  Applications for time off school must be completed on an official form (link below) and should be submitted one whole half term before the requested dates and at the very latest, 6 weeks before.  This ensures that the request can be heard by either a full Governors meeting or a Governor’s Committee Meeting.  Dates of all Governor meetings are also on the website. 

After this meeting you will receive notification in writing to your home address with the decision made.  Decisions are taken on the majority and contacting individual governors or members of staff may be seen to be pressurising the situation.  If a child has time off from school in term time which is not authorised, then this will be raised to Derbyshire County Council who will impose a Penalty Notice.  If this is unpaid, it could lead to prosecution under section 444(1) of The Education Act 1996.

We want to ensure everyone is treated fairly and can assure you that each case will be looked at on its own merit, but ultimately, we have to abide by the law.

 You can also see the Health Protection Agency guidance on illnesses by clicking here which will show you how long pupils need to stay off school depending on the ailment.

At the Carsington & Hopton Primary School, the children are dropped off at 8.40am and the register is taken at 8.55am. Pupils arriving after 9am are marked late. Lateness is considered to be an unauthorised absence.  The school day ends at 3.20pm.