Parents are legally responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly and arrive on time by 8:45am.

If your child is late for school, they must be brought to the school office and the time of arrival/reason for being late recorded in the late book. Support is available if you are struggling with morning routines, please just ask.

Any children arriving after 8.45am via the office will receive a late mark. Any children who arrive after 9:05am will be given an 'unauthorised absence' mark on the register.

If your child is absent due to illness or any other unavoidable reason, you should notify the school office 01945 870321 or office@gorefield.cambs.sch.uk by 9:00am on the first morning and every subsequent morning of their absence. We will follow up any absences that school are not notified about by 10:00am.

Parents are required to explain the reasons for any absence in order that we may decide whether the absence is to be authorised. If we do not receive any explanation or if we consider that the explanation is unsatisfactory, we are required to record the absence as unauthorised. Medical evidence or notes of appointments should be provided where possible to support any absences.

Mrs Willett, our Pastoral, Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead, is always available to speak to should you have any issues or concerns regarding your child's attendance or need support with helping your children to attend school. Mrs Willett may also contact you if your child is persistently late to school.

As a school, we have a duty of care to monitor poor attendance and provide support to help improve this. We follow the Trust policy, in line with government guidelines, in following up on any poor attendance. This will include letters and/or a follow-up meeting with Mrs Willett.

If we are concerned about a child's attendance, we may refer the matter to the Academy's Education Welfare Officer, who regularly monitors the registers to help us ensure that all children attend regularly and punctually. (The Education Welfare Officer may, in extreme circumstances, begin legal proceedings against the parents of children who do not attend regularly).

We strongly urge parents to avoid booking family holidays during term-time. In line with Wisbech schools, we will not authorise term time holidays. Parents should still notify the school office so that we know why your child is absent.

Absence during the assessment week in May each year must be avoided.

We are required to record and report unauthorised absences.