Welcome to our Attendance page. At Donnington Wood CE Junior School, we believe every day matters. We know that regular and punctual attendance helps children thrive—academically, socially, and spiritually. Rooted in our Christian values of hope, friendship, and perseverance, we encourage every child to be ready to learn, respectful of others, and safe in their environment. We also understand that everyone needs support at times; further information about the help we offer can be found on our Early Help page. If in doubt, please contact Mrs Payne (Attendance Officer) and/or Miss Ganderton.
Please note: In August 2024, the Government introduced significant changes to how schools manage unauthorised absence. Our policies have been updated to reflect these changes—click on the arrows below to find the information you need. For further information about these changes, please see the following document Working Together To Improve School Attendance 2024
Attendance Policy
The School Day
The School Day Our school day is 8.25am until 2.55pm every day. The school gates open at 8:22 We open both gates (top and bottom gate) at 8:22. Pupils come onto site on their own and will line up outside their classroom. We ask you to ensure that your children do not arrive at school any earlier than this unless they are attending ‘Breakfast Club’. They remain your responsibility until this time.
The register for the first session will be taken at 8:30am and will be kept open until 9:00am (30 minutes after the session begins).
A pupil who arrives late (after 8:30): Before the register has closed (9;00am) will be marked as late, using the appropriate code (L)
After the register has closed (9:00am) will be marked as absent, using the appropriate code (U)- this is an unauthorised absence.
Messages from parents at the start of the day can be passed on via Senior Leaders at the gate, a phone call to the office 01952 386660 or an email to parent pay dwjparentpay@taw.org.uk.
Lessons formally begin at 8.25am during registration. Gates are closed at 8:30. If your child arrives after this time then you must report to the main office to register before going to class. The lunchtime session begins at 12.15pm & ends at 1.05pm.
The gates will open at 2:50pm to allow parents and carers to enter via the top or bottom gate to collect their children from the classroom doors for 2:55pm. Children in Year 3 and 4 must be brought to school by a responsible adult or trusted person. Year 5 and 6 pupils may walk to and from school, but this is your responsibility.
Reporting Absence
We expect parents to contact the school before 8:25am when their child is absent from, school to explain the reason. You can contact the school office by phone or email: 01952 386660 or dwjparentpay@taw.org.uk. If we have had no first day contact, we will try to contact you by using the contacts we have on file to obtain a reason for an unexplained absence and offer any support if required. If absence continues without explanation, further contact will be made to ensure the pupil is safe and well – this may involve a home visit.
We understand there are many reasons why a pupil may not be able to attend school. So that we can manage attendance effectively we rely heavily on our partnership with parents and recognise that issues are less likely to escalate when there is good communication from parents.
The Working together to improve school attendance document published in August 2024 identifies many reasons why pupils may not attend school. Further information can be found in our Attendance Policy on what absence codes are authorised and what absence codes are not authorised. Ultimately, if we do not receive a reason for absence this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
In August 2024, the Government introduced tougher measures to monitor unauthorised absences. A Summary of these changes can be found here
Other Useful information:
Parents’ responsibilities: What are my responsibilities for my child’s attendance,
Leave in term time
Term Dates Request for leave in term time Guidance for parents
Under current regulations, head teachers may not grant leave of absence during term-time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Parents should plan their holidays around school breaks and avoid seeking permission from schools to take their children out of school during term time unless it is absolutely unavoidable.
Schools cannot authorise leave of absence requests unless it is made in advance by a parent the pupil normally lives with and the school is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances based on the individual facts and circumstance of the case which justify the leave. Where a leave of absence is granted, the school will determine the number of days a pupil can be absent from school. A leave of absence is granted entirely at the headteacher’s discretion. If the application is not agreed and the absence occurs the dates will be unauthorised. Parents will be notified of any decision in writing. This notification may be hand delivered directly to the parent or posted to the parents home address.
From August 19th 2024 the Government have introduced a new ‘national framework for Penalty Notices’. (in Telford & Wrekin the changes apply from 1st September 2024).
There are significant changes that parents need to be aware of:
- If your child has 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10 school week rolling period, you may be issued with a Penalty Notice. These 10 sessions may include any unauthorised absence, including leave in term time and do not have to be consecutive. Each day has a morning and an afternoon session so 10 sessions is a total of 5 days.
- Penalty Notices are increasing to £160 from September 2024. This can be reduced to £80 but only for the first Penalty Notice issued, if paid within 21 days – this reduction does not apply to any subsequent Penalty Notice.
- Any 2nd Penalty Notice, to the same parent for the same child, issued within three years of the date of the first Penalty Notice will be charged at a flat rate of £160
- A third Penalty Notice will not be issued within a three year rolling period, to the same parent for the unauthorised absence of the same child, – alternative action or legal measures will be utilised for subsequent offences.
- If in an individual case the local authority believes a Penalty Notice would be appropriate, they retain the discretion to issue one before the threshold is met. For example, when a parent purposefully tries to avoid a Penalty Notice by taking their child out of school when there is only four pupil days in school and the fifth day is for example a PD day or bank holiday attached to that week.
- In some circumstances a ‘Notice to Improve’ may be issued – However, a Notice to Improve will only be used in cases where support is appropriate. They will not be issued in cases of unauthorised leave in term time for holidays, where information for parents is included on schools website or a simple warning by the school that a Penalty Notice could be issued if unauthorised leave in term time is taken will suffice.
‘Parents should always apply to the Headteacher for any request for leave in term time by completing a request form available from school. (DfE guidance states schools should not authorise leave retrospectively so any leave in term time taken without a request being submitted will be unauthorised absence)’.
In developing and publishing the new national framework, the Government has renewed appeals to parents not to take their children out of school during term time. The Governors and Headteacher of this school support this and students will only be given permission to take leave in term time if there are exceptional circumstances. The DfE Guidance Working Together to Improve School Attendance (Feb 2024) states that: Generally, the DfE does not consider the need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance. (Paragraph 38.)
Each application for leave in term time will be considered and if it is agreed and authorised the Headteacher will determine the duration of any leave. However, if the application is not agreed and the absence occurs the dates will be unauthorised. Parents will be notified of any decision in writing. This notification may be hand delivered directly to the parent or posted to the parents’ home address.
As a school we are asked to inform you that in line with Telford and Wrekin Council Policy, if your child is absent for 10 school sessions within a 10 week rolling period and that absence is unauthorised, you may be subject to a Penalty Notice fine, criteria is as detailed above.
Our expectations
At Donnington Wood Junior School our published admission number is 240. This is made up of 8 Key Stage 2 Classes with up to 30 pupils in each.
At Donnington Wood Junior School, we are committed to ensure pupil’s achieve 95% attendance and above and believe that punctuality and good attendance is crucial for pupils to achieve their god given potential. For your child to reach their full potential is it essential that they have good attendance at school. If they are not here, they miss out on so much, and the greater the absence the harder it is to catch up. Sometimes though, circumstances at home can mean being at school, or being on time for school can be difficult. If this is the situation, please contact us and we will do all we can to support you.
We regularly monitor pupils’ punctuality and attendance and provide support and guidance to parents and pupils to address any concerns identified as quickly as possible.
Children who attend on time each day are entered into a draw to have their lunch on the “Top Table”. They get to choose a friend and have a “Top Table lunch”. Pupils have also decided on weekly, half termly and termly awards to help motivate themselves and their peers to have high attendance.
Apply to our school
Infant to Junior transition
If your child attends an infant school, you will need to apply when your child is in Year 2 for a junior school place to continue into Year 3.
Children attending an infant school that were born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 are due to start junior school in September 2026. Parents need to apply for a junior school place by January 2026.
If a child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) the application closing date is 31 October 2025.
In Telford and Wrekin, children that attend the linked infant school are given additional priority when applying to the linked junior school.
To apply for a Junior School and see the most up to date deadlines for applications please click here
If your child is attending a primary school but you wish to apply for a place at another school in Year 3 for September 2025 and wish to be considered as part of the infant/junior admissions round, you should contact the Admissions Team by contacting admissions@telford.gov.uk.
In year application
- We welcome all families to Donnington Wood Junior School and we strongly encourage you to make an appointment to view the school. Appointments can be made by contacting the school office.
- Complete an online application form via the Telford and Wrekin Website by clicking here. Before you fill out the form we suggest you find out more about the schools by looking at their websites and/or visiting schools. You can also contact Family Connect on 01952 385385.
- You are allowed to put preferences for up to 3 schools or academies. If you want to apply for schools in other authorities, such as Shropshire or Staffordshire or further afield, these should be included on your Telford form. Details of your application will then be forwarded to the appropriate Local Authority. You don’t have to complete a form for another Local Authority.
- If two parents cannot agree on which school(s) to put on the form they should seek legal advice and if necessary, an appropriate court order before submitting one form. The form should be completed by the parent with whom the child is living.
- Details of the child’s home address are particularly important and if you are moving house you are likely to be asked to prove your new address, for example by providing evidence of exchange of contracts or a valid rental agreement. The information that you put on the application form will be checked by the Local Authority. Any place offered may be withdrawn if your application is found to be fraudulent or intentionally misleading.
We follow the Telford & Wrekin Local Authority admissions processes, please click here for more information. If we are oversubscribed, parents have a right to appeal through Telford & Wrekin.
Once the application has been submitted…
Telford & Wrekin Admissions Team will contact parents with the outcome of their application within 15 days of receiving the application wherever possible.
Parents will be expected to respond to any offer of a school place made within 10 days.
Where a place has been offered at a Telford & Wrekin School or Academy we would expect it to be taken up within 6 weeks of the offer being made and accepted, otherwise the offer will be withdrawn.
Where places cannot be offered parents will be given information about the relevant appeals process. Telford & Wrekin Council operates a waiting list system for all oversubscribed community or voluntary controlled schools. These will be operated according to the rules laid down in the School Admissions Code and will be kept in order of the admissions criteria and not on other considerations such as the date on which the application was received.
For more information please look at the council website by clicking here
Transport
When applying to our school, you should consider how you will get your child to and from school. There is more detailed information on home to school transport available on the council’s website. However, you should note that Telford & Wrekin council only provided support for eligible pupils to travel to their designated (or catchment) area school in particular sets of circumstances. If your preference is for a school other than your nearest or catchment area school you are likely to be responsible for getting your child(ren) to and from school.
Applying for a Secondary School Place
Transferring from primary to secondary school is an important and exciting step in your child’s education. Children usually start secondary school at the start of September following their eleventh birthday.
Children born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 will start secondary school from September 2026. Parents need to apply for a Year 7 place by 31 October 2025.
Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) must also apply by 31 October 2025.
You are strongly advised to apply to four local schools including your nearest or catchment area school. You can use our Catchment Area School Finder Tool to check which school are your nearest or catchment area schools.
Please read the Guide to Secondary School Admissions booklet for information on school open days and evenings, the process of applying for a secondary school place and to understand how places are offered.
Download the school admissions information booklets.
How to apply
To apply for a secondary school place you will need to complete and submit an online application form using the link below.
If you want to apply for a place at one of the selective grammar schools in Telford and Wrekin, Haberdashers’ Adams or Newport Girls High School, you will need to register for the entrance test by 27 June 2025 as well as listing the school on your online application. The test will be held on 15 September 2025.
To apply for a place at Thomas Telford School, you will need to apply to the school directly by 22 September 2025. You should not list this school on your online application.
Applicants to Madeley Academy will be invited to attend a non-verbal reasoning assessment in November 2025.
If you are applying to Holy Trinity Academy or any other faith schools you may also need to complete a ‘supplementary information form’. These will be available on the school’s website and should be returned to the school(s) directly as well as listing the school(s) on your online application form
Click here to complete the online application form
Transport to Secondary School.
Before you apply you should consider how your child will get to and from school. Most children attend a local secondary school, however, if you prefer a school further away you will need to make arrangements for them to travel to and from school. Telford and Wrekin no longer provide transport for children attending a faith school.
Your child may be eligible for travel assistance if, for example, they attend their nearest secondary school and it is more than three miles from their home. Visit the council website by clicking here for more information.
Secondary School Application Outcomes
Parents who apply before the closing date will receive an email with the outcome of their application on Secondary National Offer Day – 2 March 2026.
Late applications will be considered after National Offer Day and after all on-time applications have been considered.
Parents of children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will receive their final plan with a named secondary school by 15 February 2026.
Waiting lists and Appeals
If your child is not offered a place at your most preferred school, you can request for your child to be added to the waiting list. Parents also have the right to appeal the decision not to offer a place at any of the schools they apply to. Further information on waiting list and appeals will be provided in your application outcome.
SEND Admissions
At Donnington Wood CE we will be inclusive so everyone is valued and respected and where tolerance and diversity are celebrated.
Whole School and Class Attendance
Whole school attendance on 12/12//2025 91.5%
Class attendance winners 12/12/25 is 3J with 98.9%. Well done!
Attendance Support
If you are struggling with any aspect of getting your child to school, please reach out to us. We aspire to high standards of attendance from all pupils and parents and have built a culture where all can, and want to, be in school and ready to learn.
We rigorously use attendance data to identify patterns of poor attendance and have a robust Early Help offer to provide support to families at the time they need it. If we make contact with you about attendance it is because we successfully work with our families to remove barriers in school and help pupils and parents to access support they need to overcome any barriers outside of school. Click here to explore further details of our Early Help offer
Where absence persists and voluntary support is not working or not being engaged with, consequences will be clearly explained to ensure support is in place for families to respond. Depending on the circumstances this may include formalising support through an attendance contract or and education supervision order.
Where all other avenues have been exhausted and support is not working or not being engaged with, enforce attendance through statutory intervention: a penalty notice in line with the National Framework (New in September 2024) or prosecution to protect the pupil’s right to an education.
Donnington Wood Church of England Junior School 