Punctuality & Attendance

PUNCTUALITY AND ATTENDANCE

AT BSAK

(Amendments to timings will be in place at the start of term due to COVID 19 restrictions)

Regular attendance and punctuality are a prerequisite for student progress and a vital preparation for adult life. It is essential that students form good habits with regard to attendance and punctuality early in life. In the interests of student welfare, attendance and punctuality records are logged electronically and monitored regularly.

THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY - DROP OFF

For the Early Years, Nursery & Reception, and for Years 1&2, the school day begins at 7.40am. Children in the Early Years should be brought to the external classroom door, in the Early Years playground by an adult and directly handed over to their teacher. The classroom doors will be opened at 7.40am and parents are requested to wait outside until this time (or in the corridor by the Library during hot weather). Children in Years 1&2 should be brought to the classroom door by an adult and handed over to their teacher.

No Early Years or Years 1&2 child may be left unsupervised at any time anywhere on the school campus. Children arriving before 7.40am must continue to be supervised by a parent/designated adult until they are handed over to the Class Teacher. Parents must ensure that their children are playing appropriately and under direct supervision at all times.

Children in Years 3-6 can enter the school with their parents (or be dropped off outside in our dedicated drop off zone) from 7.15am. They are supervised on the shaded pitch from that time. Please do not drop your children off before this time. A bell rings at 7.25am and the children make their own way to class.

LATE ARRIVAL

If your child arrives in school after 7.35am (Years 3-6) or after 7.50am in the Early Years and Year 1&2, please report to Reception with your child. The class register will then be updated. Your child may then go to class / lessons.

FIRST DAY OF ABSENCE

If your child is unwell, you know they are going to be late or cannot make it into school for any other reason, please contact Reception before 8.30am. The number for Reception is: 02 204 0200 Option 1 – (Nursery to Year 6 – Primary Receptionist) or Option 3 – Absent (answer machine to leave a message).

PUNCTUALITY AND ATTENDANCE

AT BSAK

Alternatively you may send an email to primaryabsent@britishschool.sch.ae detailing your child’s name, class and reason for absence/lateness. It is only necessary to call on the first day of absence.

If we do not hear from you, we will try to call you. However, if there are many absentees, this can be a long process and may delay our Receptionist from discovering if there is an emergency issue.

After a period of absence, please ensure that your child has a note, or send an email to primaryabsent@britishschool.sch.ae formally explaining their absence. If you do not confirm a child’s absence and provide a reason, this will be noted as an unauthorised absence.

REQUEST FOR CHILDREN TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY

If your child has an appointment with the doctor or dentist or has to leave school during school time for any other reason, please notify your child’s class teacher accordingly. Please also notify the Primary Receptionist if you collect your child early for any reason so that a note detailing that he/she is no longer on the premises may be added to the class register for safety reasons.

THE END OF THE DAY - COLLECTION

For Early Years and Year 1&2 the official end of the day is 2.20pm (1.20pm on Thursday). Pick up is from the classrooms. For Years 3-6 the official end of the day is 2.35pm (1.35pm on Thursday). Pick up is from the shaded pitch.

Please ensure that children are collected on time as late collection has a negative impact on the smooth running of the school.

Regular attendance and punctuality are prerequisites for pupil progress and vital preparation for adult life. Please promote positive attitudes towards learning in your child through supporting your child’s regular attendance. Levels of attendance and late arrivals and collection are logged and monitored in the interests of pupil welfare and may trigger a letter of concern to parents.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Whilst we understand that, in certain exceptional circumstances, students may have to be withdrawn from school and miss curriculum time, we would advocate that this disruption is minimised wherever possible. If you intend to withdraw your child, you are requested to email the school primaryabsent@britishschool.sch.ae with reasons clearly stated, in advance, so that the details can be added to your child’s attendance record. We would strongly advise parents to avoid holidays during term time. Absences for holidays will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’ as per ADEK guidelines.