Shenton Primary School

Child Absence

It is very important that your child attends school regularly. Regular attendance and good timekeeping are essential life skills. Attending school regularly also ensures your child is taught the full programmes of learning in each year group, which then gives each child the opportunity to achieve their true potential.

Term dates are at the bottom of this page.

Please read our Attendance Policy (below) carefully.

Although there is no right to any absence from school during term time, the merits of each individual request will be evaluated by providing answers to specific questions and the impact on your child’s overall attendance will be assessed. If assessment suggests your child’s overall attendance would fall below the 95% target no absence can or will be authorised.

 Penalty Notices have been increased to £160 per parent per child (discounted to £80 if paid within 21 days).  If there is occasion to issue a second Penalty Notice for unauthorised leave of absence within a rolling 3 year period, it will be issued at the higher rate of £160 per parent per child, with no opportunity to pay at the lower level.  A Penalty Notice cannot be issued if there is a third occasion of unauthorised leave of absence in the rolling 3 year period and it is highly likely that the local authority will take direct prosecution action in the Magistrates’ Court which can result in you receiving a criminal conviction.  Please also be aware that any cases of extended periods of unauthorised absence, linked to holidays or trips away, are highly likely to result in prosecution action by the local authority.

The form to apply for an extended leave of absence can be found here.

Below shows the school's attendance rates compared to National averages:

A child who has more than 10 days absence is 80% more likely not to reach end of year standards.

 SCHOOL TERMS AND HOLIDAYS

                                         ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/26

AUTUMN TERM

 Bank Holiday      Monday 25^th August 2025

School opens        Monday 25^th August 2025

Mid Term Break      Monday 20^th October – Monday 27^th October 2025

               School closes      Thursday 18^th December 2025 at 3.10pm

Spring TERM

School opens        Tuesday 6th January 2026

Mid Term Break      Monday 16^th February – Friday 20^th February 2026

              Friday 27^th March 2026 at 3.10pm

Summer TERM

School opens        Monday 13^th April 2026

May Day         Monday 4^th May 2026

Mid Term Break      Monday 25^th May – Friday 29^th May 2026

              Friday 10^th July 2026 at 3.10pm