At St Andrew’s Fox Covert RC Primary School we recognise the strong link between high levels of attendance at school and positive outcomes for children. This includes outcomes in terms of attainment and achievement as well as health and wellbeing, and social, emotional and behavioural development.
Please see below the Everyday Counts Information which explains how important each day at school is for your child..
Please try to ensure that your child arrives in the school playground in time for lining up with their class. Learning starts as soon as the children arrive in the classroom. We don’t want anyone to miss out on these learning experiences. If your child arrives after 8:50am, they need to enter via the main entrance.
If your child has a planned absence then please let the school know by email/letter (e.g. hospital appointment) or before 9.00am by telephoning 0131-339-2383 and select option 1 to access the dedicated absence line. When leaving your message, please clearly state your name. child’s name and class together with the nature of the absence. E.g. “This is Mrs Smith, Mother of John Smith in P3. John will be absent today because he has an ear infection”. Please do not leave a message he is “unwell” as we require a more detailed response to accurately record the correct register code.
Alternatively, you can send an email direct to the school using the admin address: admin@st-andrews.edin.sch.uk with a message as detailed in the above example.
If you have not provided the school with a reason for your child’s absence, you will receive an automated text message via our “GROUPCALL” system. The message will advise your child is absent and request you contact the school. Please telephone the school absence line, send an email or alternatively you can send a response back via the text message. All messages should clearly state the reason for the absence as outlined above.
Please note you should not wait to receive the automated message as you should have already notified the school before 9.00am as stated above.
If you would like to be updated on your child’s attendance percentage or wish to discuss anything with regard to attendance or late coming then please get in touch. We are here to support and help.
Parents from minority ethnic religious communities may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school to celebrate recognised religious events. Absence approved on this basis is regarded as authorised absence. Extended leave can also be granted on request for families returning to their country of origin for cultural or care reasons.
A supportive approach is taken to unexplained absence. However the Communities and Families department has legal powers to write to, interview or prosecute parents, or refer pupils to the Reporter to the Children’s Panel, if necessary.
As long as you have informed the school of the reason why your child is off, and the school is satisfied that this is a valid reason, these would be called authorised absences.
What should I do if my child is anxious or worried about going to school?
We believe your child has a right to an education and to be safe and happy at school. But sometimes children and young people can be anxious or worried about going to school for various reasons such as having a worry about their learning or friendships.
Sometimes parents let their child stay off school under these circumstances. Unfortunately this will not help find a solution. It’s important to talk to the school if this kind of problem happens.
You should contact a member of staff at the school with any worry your child has which is affecting them getting to school.
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