At Bluecoat Bentinck Primary we are incredibly proud of our strong attendance figures, and this is testament to the excellent relationship that we have with our parents and carers who prioritise the attendance of their children.
It may sound OK if your child has 90% attendance, however, this effectively means they are missing half a day of school per week. Over one year this equates to a child missing 4 weeks of school and during the course of their education half a year of schooling would be lost.
All absence and lateness is recorded on your child’s school record and we monitor this information. Absences and lateness are followed up by an attendance officer or our support worker. But remember, we are here to help! If you are having difficulties getting your child to school please come and talk to us.
The school days starts at:
8:45 am
The school day finishes at:
15:20 pm
Please note our nursery only offers morning session so hours are 8:45 am-12:00 pm
Our Attendance Team
Mrs S Shaw
Executive Head – Archway Trust
School Senior Attendance Champion
School Senior Attendance Champion Role
Mrs. Shaw, the Senior Attendance Champion, plays a vital role in promoting and ensuring high levels of attendance within the school. She oversees attendance strategies, monitors attendance data, and works closely with students, families, and staff to address any barriers to regular attendance. Mrs. Shaw also leads initiatives to foster a positive school culture around attendance and provides support to both students and parents to improve attendance outcomes.
Miss R Patterson
Safeguarding Targeted Support & Attendance Lead
Attendance Lead Role
Miss Patterson will send you half termly and termly attendance letters, this is so you are aware of your child’s attendance Miss Patterson will request a supportive attendance meeting to offer support and guidance. Miss Patterson will conduct home visits, make education welfare referrals and look at Leave of Absence requests on a weekly basis.
Mrs P Dharmavarapu
School Administrator
Administrator Role
Miss K Merik
Head of School
Head of School Role
Miss Merik’s role is to promote and support school attendance through positive reinforcement and initiatives designed to encourage consistent attendance. She will regularly share attendance statistics in the weekly newsletter and present an attendance trophy to the class with the highest attendance for that week.
New Attendance Changes
Attendance Incentives
At Bluecoat Bentinck Primary School, we are committed to recognizing and celebrating our students’ attendance. To support this, we have introduced a whole-class trophy, which will be awarded during our Celebration assembly. Additionally, class attendance figures will be featured in our weekly newsletter to keep parents informed.
What Should I Do If I Need to Take My Child Out of School?
In the rare event that your child needs to be absent from school, you are required to complete a Leave of Absence Form. We kindly ask that this be submitted at least four weeks in advance. The form can be obtained from our school office.
We also understand that urgent leave may sometimes be necessary. In such cases, please inform the school office as soon as possible, providing the reason for the absence and the expected return date.
Please note that the school reserves the right to conduct a home visit if your child’s whereabouts are unknown. If contact cannot be established, a “Child Missing in Education” form will be submitted to Nottingham City Council.
What Happens Next?
Once you submit a Leave of Absence Form to the school office, we will acknowledge receipt by sending a message to both parents with parental responsibility. Leave of absence requests are reviewed weekly, and you will receive an outcome letter within 10 school days. This letter will inform you whether the absence has been authorised or unauthorised.
What Is an Unauthorised Absence?
An unauthorised absence indicates that the school does not agree with the reason provided for your child’s absence. This may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice Fine.
How Much Will I Be Fined If My Child’s Absence Is Unauthorised?
Nottingham City Council has increased the amount of its Penalty Notice Fines. Further details regarding this can be obtained from the council.
Who Do I Pay?
Nottingham City Council will send you instructions on how to pay the Penalty Notice Fine. Please note that payment should not be made to Bluecoat Bentinck Primary Academy.
Our Expectations and Procedures
What Should I Do If My Child Is Unwell?
Please contact the school’s absence line at 0115 915 1567 or send a message via our school app, School Gateway. Be sure to provide your child’s name, class, and a specific reason for the absence.
Please note that the term “unwell” is not sufficient as a reason for absence.
If a reason for the absence is not provided, it will be recorded as unauthorised.
What Happens If I Do Not Inform the School of an Absence?
If the school has not been notified of your child’s absence, we will attempt to make contact through a first-day call.
If contact cannot be made, a home visit may be conducted. If there is still no response, the school will refer the case to the “Children Missing in Education” team.
Can My Child Attend School with Medication?
Yes, your child may attend school with medication if it has been prescribed by a doctor. The medication must have your child’s name and the dosage to be administered clearly indicated.
What If My Child Has an Epipen, Inhaler, or Other Regular Medication?
Please complete an Administration of Medicine Form, which can be filled in with a member of staff at the school office.
School Attendance
Your child’s attendance should be 97% or higher. The school will send out attendance updates at the end of each half-term and full term.
We are committed to supporting you in improving your child’s attendance. If you require any assistance, please contact Miss Patterson.
Need Support?
Miss Patterson, our Targeted Support, is available to offer confidential, non-judgmental assistance for your family. Her support extends not only to your children but to you as well, taking a holistic approach to family well-being. She is often available before and after school for informal conversations, and she can assist with various issues, including:
- Referrals for behavioural support
- Identifying and addressing barriers to attendance
- Issuing Foodbank vouchers
- Signposting to internal and external support services
- Offering confidential support to victims of domestic abuse
- Assisting with the completion of forms for benefits and job applications
- Providing support at appointments
Contact Information
Phone: 0115 915 1567
Email: enquiries@bentinck.nottingham.sch.uk
For detailed information regarding our attendance procedures, please click on the image below. This will redirect you to our Academy’s Policy page, where you can access our Attendance and Punctuality Policy.
