Attendance

At Morden Primary, we believe that every day counts. Good attendance is not just about being present—it’s about making the most of every learning opportunity, building friendships, and developing the habits that lead to lifelong success.

✅ Our Expectations

We expect all pupils to attend school every day unless they are genuinely unwell. Doors open at 8:40am for a calm rolling start, and registration is at 8:50am. Afternoon registration is at 1:20pm.

If your child arrives after 8:50am, they will be marked as late (L). After 9:20am, they receive an unauthorised absence mark (U).

? Reporting an Absence

If your child is unwell, you can report their absence on the MCAS app. For more information on this please visit our MCAS page by clicking here. If you have not signed up yet you can also notify us by phone on 020 8648 4168 or email info@morden.merton.sch.uk before 9am on the first day of absence, clearly stating your child’s name, class, and specific reason for absence.

On occasion, we may contact you regarding absences, in line with our attendance policy and guidance provided by the Local Authority.

? Leave During Term Time

Holidays during term time will not be authorised. Only exceptional circumstances may be considered for authorised leave. To apply, please collect an Exceptional Leave of Absence form from the school office or download it here. Supporting documents must be submitted with your request.

? Why Attendance Matters

• 90% attendance = nearly 4 weeks missed per year
• 80% attendance = over half a term missed!
• Every absence can affect your child’s progress and confidence

If you're experiencing challenges getting your child into school, please speak to your class teacher or the office. We are here to help and may be able to offer additional support through our Pastoral Team, ELSA programme, or our Attendance Officer, Ms Cockett.

? Celebrating Good Attendance

• Weekly awards for best class attendance
• Termly certificates and badges for 100% attenders
• Annual prize draw for excellent attendance

We know every family’s situation is unique. Our team works with parents to remove barriers to good attendance and ensure that all our pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn.

If you have any questions about attendance or punctuality, or would like to speak to our Attendance Officer, please contact info@morden.merton.sch.uk or call 020 8648 4168.