St Michael's Avenue, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 4LD

01935 474224

Pen Mill Infant and Nursery Academy

Nurturing and Inspiring confidence, curiosity and creativity


Attendance expectation

Regular and punctual attendance at school is both a legal requirement and essential for children and young people to maximise their educational opportunities.

The expectation is that every child should be in school, every day, unless they are too unwell to attend.  It is taken into account that children are likely to be unwell at some point during the school year and as a result the attendance expectation here at Pen Mill is set to at least 96%.

Pen Mill Academy has produced an attendance pyramid to support and guide you in understanding the attendance process.

Types of absences

The school day is split into two sessions.  Any absence from school must be classed as either authorised or unauthorised.  Absences are coded as authorised where reasons given are considered valid and unauthorised where no explanation or an unacceptable reason is given.  Please be mindful that holidays would be coded as unauthorised.

Illness and first day call

If your child is unable to attend school through illness, it is your duty to inform us by telephone on the first day of the absence before 9am with a brief reason for the illness and the expected date of return. If the school office has not received this information you will be contacted as a safeguarding measure, so that we can be sure of your child’s whereabouts.

If your child is absent through illness or they have a medical appointment which can be evidenced, this will normally be classed as authorised however, where there are concerns as to excessive absence patterns through illness, we shall seek to discuss this with you in order to gain a better understanding of the issues and to offer support.

In order to cause as little disruption to your child’s learning the school would encourage you to make routine appointments (GP, dentist, opticians) outside of the school day.


We ask that all parents ensure their child/children arrive in school every day in time for registration.  The classroom doors open from 8:45am.  Any child arriving after the register closes at 9:00am will be marked as late and will need to be signed in at the school office.  Where a child arrives after 9:15am, they will be classed as unauthorised.

Requests for term-time absence

The amendments (2006 regulations) state that the Headteacher may only grant leave of absence during term time for exceptional circumstances.  Please complete a request for term-time absence which is available from the school office.

Why does attendance matter?


For example, 90% attendance might sound acceptable but what it really means in reality is...

  • on average half a day's school missed every week
  • this would also mean in one year 4 whole weeks of schooling is missed
  • in 5 years it would mean half of a school year is missed

More information

For more information regarding attendance please refer to the school’s attendance policy and the school attendance pyramid.  Further guidance for parents is also available on the attached leaflet.