Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is vital for children to do well in school and many studies have linked poor attendance to poor attainment – something which impacts negatively on children’s life chances in the future. We all want to ensure that our children have the brightest possible futures and the best possible life chances, and primary school is the place where that starts. Having good attendance also shows the children how important this is as a life habit in preparation for their future in the workplace. Poor attendance is also considered a safeguarding issue as parents have a legal duty to ensure that their children attend school regularly.

St Benedict’s Catholic Primary fully recognises its responsibilities to ensure pupils are in school and on time, therefore, having access to learning for the maximum number of days and hours. We aim to work with parents to ensure that all pupils attend school regularly and on time. Helping to promote a pattern of regular attendance is everybody’s responsibility: parents, pupils and all members of school staff.

The information below shows how attendance can affect children’s future progression:

• Above 97% : Less than 6 days absence a year is Excellent attendance! These young people will almost certainly get the best grades they can, leading to better prospects for the future. Pupils will also get into the good habit of attending school which will help in the future.
• 95%: 10 days absence a year. These pupils are likely to achieve good grades and form a habit of attending school regularly. 
• 90%: 19 days absence a year. The Government classes young people in this group as ‘Persistent Absentees’ and it will be almost impossible to keep up with work with this level of absence.

At St Benedict’s we try very hard to have as many incentives as possible to encourage children to be in school. For example, we have a weekly Friday assembly in which we announce the attendance of every class for that week and celebrate the winning class. All children with 100% for the week are then invited to have a ‘dip in the box’ to pick a small prize. We also include the weekly figures on the newsletter and encourage parents to celebrate with their child if their class wins. At the end of each term, children with 96% and above are presented with a special certificate and receive a treat eg a film in the school hall.

Absence and late procedures

Parents/carers must call school before 9am on the first day of absence to notify them and provide a specific reason for the absence i.e. illness due to vomiting. For illness of 5 days or more we will require medical evidence such as a Doctor’s note or copy of prescribed medication.

School will only authorise a medical absence if the circumstances are unavoidable. Parents are asked to make routine medical and dental appointments outside school hours wherever possible. School will also request some form of evidence to support the appointment.

Poor punctuality is not acceptable. Any child arriving at school after 9am must be brought to the office and a reason for their lateness given. Children arriving between 9 and 9:15am will incur a ‘late’ marking. Anything after 9:15am will be marked as an unauthorised absence.

Any holidays taken during term time will not be authorised unless there is an exceptional circumstance. All holidays of 10 sessions (5 days) or more in one term, or 18 sessions (9 days) across two consecutive terms will automatically receive a fixed term penalty notice from the Local Authority of £80.00 per child, per parent if paid within 21 days.