How do I report my child’s absence? 

Parents are expected to inform the school of their child’s absence by phoning school (01773 602936) or emailing attendance@ironvillecodnorpark.derbyshire.sch.uk by 8:45 a.m. at the very latest. Emails to other school email addresses will not be accepted.

If no reason for absence is provided by 9:00 a.m. school will telephone you to request the reason for absence.

Regular and punctual attendance at school is a legal requirement and a responsibility shared by parents /carers and the school. We have an Attendance Support Team at school who is available to discuss any issues or problems you may have regarding attendance or punctuality.

Attendance Support Team

The member of the Senior Leadership team responsible for attendance is: Mrs J Grundy (Headteacher) - attendance champion 

The Attendance Support Team comprises of: Mrs J Coulston (Family Support Worker), Mrs B Moore (Office Administrator) and Mrs J Grundy (Headteacher)

Additional attendance support team members: Miss K Sharpe (Family Support Worker), Mrs S Nicholson (Anti-bullying Co-ordinator), Mrs A Bourne (SENCO), and Mrs L Hosie (ELSA and Nurture Lead)

What do I do if my child is struggling to attend school? 

There are various forms of support available to you and your child if they are struggling to attend school. We have a welcome gate in the morning and evening with members of the Attendance Support Team on the gate.

The main Attendance Support Team will lead support meetings with you and your child. In addition, we also have other members of staff that offer further support. Mrs Nicholson is our Anti-bullying Co-ordinator, Mrs Hosie is our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, Mrs Bourne is our SENCO and Miss Sharpe is one of the Family Support Workers.

Attendance Policy

A copy of our policy on attendance is available by clicking here. 

Welfare Checks

Sometimes known as Safe and Well checks, they are a supportive way that schools make sure children are safe and well when they are unexpectedly absent and the school has not been able to contact home.

National guidance, including Working Together to Improve School Attendance and Keeping Children Safe in Education, explains that schools have a responsibility to follow up absences quickly because sometimes a child not being in school can be linked to illness, family difficulties, or other worries rather than a simple attendance issue.

A welfare check might be a phone call, a visit to the home, or contact through another professional (social care or police), and its purpose is always to check that your child is safe and to see if the school can offer help or support. These checks are not about blame or punishment; they are about care, safeguarding, and working in partnership with families to make sure children are supported back into school as soon as they are able.

Keeping Children Safe in Education states that schools have a duty to act early when concerns arise. This may be a phone call or a home visit on the first day and further days. Failure to gain a response from the child or family would result in the situation being escalated.

Can I take my child on holiday during school time? 

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.

Any requests should be on an official school absence request form and handed into the school office for consideration prior to any holiday/leave arrangements being made.

You may be issued with a Penalty Notice should leave be taken which is not authorised. If unpaid this could lead to prosecution under section 444(1) of The Education Act 1996.