Attendance
The expectation is that all children on roll should attend school every day when the school is open as long as they are fit and healthy to do so.
Poor attendance can seriously affect each child’s:
- attainment in school and their ability to progress in their learning in line with expectations
- relationships with other children and their ability to form lasting friendships
- confidence to attempt new work and work alongside others
- relationships with teachers and other school staff
- general behaviour towards others and equipment
The table below can be found in our attendance for learning policy and outlines the different levels of attendance and the impact this has.
For more information and details, our attendance for learning policy can be found here
Leave of absence
Recently we have had a lot of requests for leave of absence, many last minute. Parents/Carers do not have an automatic right to remove their child from school during term time for the purpose of a holiday and are strongly advised not to do so. Any such absence will be unauthorised unless it is deemed that there are exceptional circumstances. Parents should be aware that if their child is absent for 10 school days they will miss 5% of their education during that academic year.
Before considering applying for leave of absence for their child or children, parents/carers must apply for leave using a form that can be found on the school website, at least 30 days before the planned leave (no less than a month). Each request will be considered individually and a number of factors will be taken into account. While leave of absence might be authorised during term time, it is entirely at the Headteacher's discretion –it is not a parental right.
Pentecost Service
- Date: Thursday 18th June, 9.15am-9.45am
The day of Pentecost marks fifty days since Easter Day and brings the Easter season to an end. It is a major feast of the Church’s year when Christians recall how God’s Holy Spirit was given to the disciples after Jesus’ ascension, empowering them to begin the work of making disciples of all nations.
On Thursday 18th June, 9.15am-9.45am, we would like to invite families to join us in watching the service. Due to the size of the hall, we can only invite 1 parent/carer per family, and have a maximum of 100 tickets.
If you would like to join us, please book your ticket below.
Book your ticket here
School Lunch Orders
Ordering for next term is now available for parents via the KidsLunch website. Please note the usual deadline of midday on Friday 29th May will apply for the first week back after half term.
Photo Competition
Are you looking for something a bit different to do? Why not enter Wild Marlow’s wildlife photo competition? With a closing date of 31st August, there’s still plenty of time to get creative with your cameras and smart devices!
The competition is open to everyone, of all ages and abilities (except professional photographers), and you can use your phone, a camera or a tablet.
The judges are looking forward to seeing some fabulous pictures of Marlow’s wide range of wildlife, from ducks and swans, bees and moths, to otters and hedgehogs. You can even choose to take a picture of your local wildflower patch, hedgerow or woodland: it’s all wildlife!
The judges are looking for still photos – colour or black and white — and the pictures must be taken within the Marlow area (SL7). There are three categories: primary school age, secondary school age, and adult. The best photos in each category will be featured at the 2026 Wild Marlow photo exhibition and in the Wild Marlow 2027 calendar.
Go to https://www.wildmarlow.org.uk/competition for terms and conditions and email your entries to wildmarlowphoto@gmail.com.
Higginson Park Birthday Bunting Project 🎨
To celebrate the centenary of Higginson Park, Marlow Museum is inviting children to take part in a special Birthday Bunting project.
Children are encouraged to use a template to create their own design showing what the park means to them. These designs will then be turned into bunting and displayed around the museum and park for the community to enjoy over the summer.
Please use the template placed in your child's bag last Friday to create a picture and return it to school. We will then send selected designs on to the museum. Deadlines for these are Friday 5th June
There will also be a range of exciting events taking place across the summer, including a special celebration on Saturday 20 June. More information can be found at: www.marlowmuseum.org/events-news/
We look forward to seeing the children’s creative designs.
Wooden toy donations
If you happen to be having a sort out at home over half-term and have any wooden kitchens or wooden toys that are no longer wanted at home, these would be much appreciated for our role-play areas in school. Thank you for the donations so far.
Please contact the school office should you have any donations you think would be appropriate for school.
Eco Day of Action
We will once again be participating in an Eco Day of Action. The focus will be on water and waterways. The children will be learning about the water cycle and considering how they can help keep our local waterways clean and useable. We will also be having an electricity-free day!
As part of the day, we are asking the children to come dressed in blue. We would like to raise money for WaterAid, so any donations would be really appreciated. You can donate here.
During the day, the Year 2 children will be performing their Ocean dance that they have been working on this half-term.
2026 Parent Survey
- Deadline: Friday 5th June
The governors sent this year's parent survey to the whole school on Wednesday. You can also find it here.
Marlow Town Regatta and Festival Schools Concert
We have the opportunity again this year to join with other Marlow primary schools to sing at the Regatta Festival on Sunday 14th June. It is a lovely event that children remember for years to come.
We would love, once again, to have a large number of children representing the school on this weekend of festivities. If you would like your child to be involved, please could you fill in the attached form. Initially, the rehearsals will start after Easter within hymn practice time with Mrs Downing. Later in the term, Sheila WIlson, the composer of the songs and the schools' coordinator, will be coming into school to practice with those children who have signed up.
I hope many of you will be able to join this lovely family event.
Click here to sign up
