Attendance at Hillcrest

It is vital that we work together to ensure good attendance and punctuality for all of our children. This will help children to develop to their full potential.

Good routines have to be established early and continued throughout a child's school life. If your child is unwell, please contact school on the first morning of illness so that we can record the reason for absence - this must be done by 9:30am otherwise, further contact will be made to obtain the reason for absence. 

We strongly recommend that children should not be taken out of school during term time for any reason but if you are thinking of doing so you will be required to complete an Exceptional Circumstances Form for the attention of the Headteacher. If you would like more information on this procedure please look under Parents → Late/Absence Procedures. 

Our Academy day for Reception - Year 2 starts at 8:50am and the school doors open at 8:40am. Children in Reception to Year 2 need to arrive no later than 8:50am. If they arrive past this time, they will be marked as late. It is vital that children are in school for this time as otherwise, they will miss their Phonics session. 

Little Gems and Little Sparkles Nursery classes should arrive in time for their sessions starting:

Times for morning nursery sessions: 8:45am - 11:45am

Time for afternoon sessions: 12:15pm - 3:15pm

Should you need to book a medical appointment, please try and ensure this is done out of school hours. If this is not possible, our break time is 10:30am - 10:45am and lunchtime is 12:00 - 1:00pm so please try and arrange it during this time. Proof of appointment will need to be shown for children to be allowed to leave. 

School Attendance 

Our whole school attendance target is 96%.

• If your child has 96% attendance or above they are in the 'Expected' category which means your child will be entered into a prize draw.
• Your child will be classed as 'At Risk Of Becoming Persistently Absent' if they are in the 90.1% to 95% attendance category. This means that your child will be monitored closely by the Attendance Team and you will be contacted to discuss this. 
• If your child has 80.1% to 90% attendance they are classed as 'Persistently Absent'. This means that their attendance will be monitored as part of our 'Cause for Concern meetings' which are held with the Attendance & Safeguarding Team. You will be contacted by the Attendance Team to invite you to attend a meeting to discuss your child being placed on an Attendance Action Plan to improve their attendance. 
• Your child will become 'At Risk Of Severe Absence' if they fall into 50.1% to 80% attendance. In this case we will try all avenues to improve attendance and give support. At this point, a Notice to Improve will be issued and depending on the circumstances a Penalty Notice may also be issued.
• If your child has 0% to 50% attendance this is classed as 'Severely Absent' and this is a major cause for concern. We will work as best we can with families and seek advice from other agencies to help with any barriers and find solutions to increase attendance.

This table shows each category and is placed on the termly letters that are sent home so you can see where your child is. 

Promoting Good Attendance 

We celebrate good attendance throughout our school by - 

• Awarding the class with the best attendance a certificate and an attendance cup in celebration assembly every Friday.
• There will be a termly attendance prize for children with attendance over 95%
• Issuing letters every term showing each child's attendance level.
• Notes home and praise pads for improved attendance.
• We have our 'Golden Ticket Table' each Friday where 8 children are awarded a Golden Ticket for attendance and are allowed to sit with a member of staff for dinner.
• Praising children upon arrival each day.
• Using our forms of communication like Teachers2Parents and Dojo to praise classes, inform parents of overall school attendance each week and praise children.

You will be updated every term on your child's attendance.

If you have any questions regarding Attendance or want any support please contact the school office on 01427 613483 or email attendance@hillcrest.lincs.sch.uk. 

The main contacts for the attendance team are:

Miss Chloe Higgins - Attendance Lead

Miss Samantha Stokes - Headteacher/Attendance Champion

If your child has 95% and above (Reception to Year 2) or 80% and above (Sparkles and Gems) then they will be entered into a prize draw in Decemeber and will have the chance of winning a Family Friday Pass for Sundown Adventure Land!! 

Special Mentions

A big well done to Anthony-James who won the fabulous Light Up Scooter last half term for his amazing attendance! 

Also a huge congratulations to Cora-Mae and Tommie who were in our Nursery provision that won a special prize for their attendance last half term, we are so proud! 

Attendance is so important to ensure your children get the best they possibly can out of their time at Hillcrest so please help support us with this and encourage your children to be in everyday

Helpful Information