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.
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Shenton Attendance (Years Reception to 6) TARGET: 95%+ |
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National 2023-24 |
Shenton 2023-24 |
Shenton 2022-23 |
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Total |
92.8% |
93.1% |
92.8% |
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Total absence |
7.2% |
7% |
7.2% |
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Authorised absence |
4.7% |
5.0% |
5.4% |
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Unauthorised absence |
2.5% |
2% |
1.8% |
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Persistent Absences (Extended Absences) |
20.7% |
4.5% |
4.2% |
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SCHOOL TERMS AND HOLIDAYS
ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/26
AUTUMN TERM
Bank Holiday Monday 25th August 2025
School opens Monday 25th August 2025
Mid Term Break Monday 20th October – Monday 27th October 2025
School closes Thursday 18th December 2025 at 3.10pm
Spring TERM
School opens Tuesday 6th January 2026
Mid Term Break Monday 16th February – Friday 20th February 2026
Friday 27th March 2026 at 3.10pm
Summer TERM
School opens Monday 13th April 2026
May Day Monday 4th May 2026
Mid Term Break Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May 2026
School Closes Friday 10th July 2026 at 3.10pm
SCHOOL TERMS AND HOLIDAYS
ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/27
AUTUMN TERM
Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2026
School opens Monday 24th August 2026
Mid Term Break Monday 19th October – Monday 26th October 2026
School closes Thursday 17th December 2026 at 3.10pm
Spring TERM
School opens Tuesday 5th January 2027
Mid Term Break Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February 2027
Friday 19th March 2027 at 3.10pm
Summer TERM
School opens Monday 5th April 2027
May Day Monday 3rd May 2027
Mid Term Break Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June 2027
School Closes Friday 9th July 2027 at 3.10pm
