Attendance
Attendance policy
Attendance
St Catherine's CE Primary School seeks to ensure that all its pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise his/her true potential. The school will strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment, whereby each member of the school community feels wanted and secure. All school staff will work with pupils and their families to ensure each pupil attends school regularly and punctually.
The school will establish an effective system of incentives and rewards that acknowledges the efforts of pupils to improve their attendance and timekeeping and will challenge the behaviour of those pupils and parents who give low priority to attendance and punctuality.
To meet these objectives St Catherine's CE Primary School will establish an effective and efficient system of communication with pupils, parents and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support.
Punctuality
Pupils can come into school from 8.45am and the school day starts promptly at 8.50am. If a child arrives at school after 8.50am. without prior arrangements having been agreed, he/she will be deemed late. Registers close at 9.00am and arrival at school after this time, without prior approval or extenuating circumstances, will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
Pupils arriving at school after 8.50am must enter through the main enterance and report to the school office to be signed in by an adult. Pupils leaving school for any reason must report to the office before they go so that we can ensure that they are appropriately chaperoned and signed out. Registers are also taken when the children return to classes after lunch. Unexplained absences will be investigated by the Education Welfare Officer.
What is expected of the pupils?
To respect themselves and others
To do all they can to attend school regularly and punctually
To inform a trusted adult if they feel that they are being bullied
To encourage friendship and a sense of belonging
To be happy and encourage others to feel happy
What is expected of the Parents?
To keep requests for their child to be absent to a minimum
To offer a reason, or medical proof, for any period of absence, preferably before the absence or on the first day of absence
To ensure that their child arrives at school on time, a reason should be offered for any lateness
To work closely with the school and EWO to resolve any problems that may impede a child’s attendance
To take family holidays during school holiday periods and be aware that requests for holidays during term time will be refused except in special/exceptional circumstances.
To be aware of curriculum requirements and be especially vigilant with regards to attendance during important academic times such as SATs
To support their child and recognise their successes and achievements
ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
Leave of Absence Procedures
As detailed in our Attendance Policy, and in line with DfE guidance, we do not authorise leave of absence during term other than when exceptional circumstances permit. If you wish to take your child out of school, during term time, it is important to discuss this with us as much in advance as possible so we can guide you through the process.
However, where absence is unauthorised, it could lead to further action being taken including a penalty notice being issued.
Attendance matters!
