Attendance

If your child is not here at school with us, they will miss out on all the exciting learning experiences that we have planned for them!

Attendance is important part of safeguarding. If your child is not in school with us, we need to know why!  Absence, even short term or infrequent absence, can have a significant impact on learning, on friendships and personal development.

If your child is unable to attend School, please call us on 01243 551246, contact us through your MCAS app or email absences@yaptonschool.org  If we do not receive a reason as to why your child is absent, we will be calling you. If your child has a medical appointment, please provide the School with medical evidence such as a doctor/hospital appointment card or letter.

Holidays or prolonged absence

We encourage parents not to take their children out of School during term time. If you do need to take your child out of school for exceptional circumstances, please complete a Request for Absence form.  This is available from the School Office.

If your child has five days (ten sessions) of unauthorised absence (including being late after the register close) in any 10-week period, you will be liable to receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) from West Sussex County Council for failing to ensure your child’s regular school attendance. 

For the first occasion a child is absent without authority, the FPN is £160.00 and a parent is given the opportunity to pay within 21 days at a rate of £80

For the second occasion the same child is absent without authority, the FPN is £160.

For the third occasion the same child is absent without authority, a FPN may not be issued and instead the case may be referred direct to a Magistrates Court or alternative interventions may be considered.

Please note: If the School refers a period of absence that is 15 consecutive school days or more, Pupil Entitlement Investigation may consider a FPN is not appropriate.  In these instances, the matter may instead be brought directly before a Magistrates Court.

​For more information, click here to access advice from West Sussex County Council

 Attendance Policy 2026