SIAMS and Holiday Applications

4th May 2018
Dear Parents and Carers

SIAMS Church School Inspection
We have been notified that we will be having our SIAMS Inspection on Wednesday 9th May. This is the church equivalent of an Ofsted Inspection. This will be a one day inspection. There is not a Parent View opportunity as there is for Ofsted, but if any parent wishes to write any thoughts and address them to the Inspector, we will pass them on.

Royal Wedding
To mark the occasion of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday 19th May, we will be having a celebratory day on Friday 18th May. There will be royal activities taking place in class and here will be a special royal buffet lunch (details will follow).

We are making this a non-uniform day and inviting the children to come dressed in red, white and blue – or suitably royal attire, fit for such an occasion.

Holiday Applications
It is alarming the number of parents who have ‘told’ us today that they will be collecting their children early from school – clearly because it is a Bank Holiday weekend. I would like to remind you that even when absenting your child for half a day, it requires authorisation.

Additionally, I have received an excessive amount of Leave of Absence Applications in recent weeks. I once again, remind you that such absence will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. Where a holiday is not authorised, please expect that we will apply for a Penalty Notice to be issued.

Years of experience and Social Media, also means we know when parents are not being straight with us about their child’s absence.

As you know, we have to supply our Attendance data to the Department of Education on a regular basis – and our returns are mostly unacceptably low. Already, even before Wednesday’s inspection has taken place, our attendance figures have been questioned and could affect the final judgement of the Inspection.

Should you have any questions or queries about any of the above, or any other issues, please, as always, do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Sarah Hurwood
Headteacher