Attendance at St Teresa’s RC Primary School
At St Teresa’s RC Primary School, we believe that good attendance and punctuality are essential to children’s learning, wellbeing and achievement. Being in school every day helps children build strong routines, feel secure and make the most of learning opportunities.
We promote good attendance by creating a welcoming, inclusive school environment where children feel safe, valued and keen to attend, and by working closely in partnership with families.
How we promote good attendance
We promote and support good attendance by:
setting high expectations for attendance and punctuality for all pupils
creating a positive, welcoming school environment where children want to attend
building strong relationships with pupils and families
monitoring attendance regularly to identify concerns early
celebrating good and improved attendance
working with families to understand and remove barriers to attendance
providing appropriate support and early help where attendance concerns arise
Attendance
If your child is unable to attend school or nursery for any reason it is vital that the school is informed via a telephone call on the first morning of his/her absence. The school needs to know the whereabouts of your child for their safety. Children who are in school receive two marks for attendance each day, one for the morning and one for the afternoon. If your child is feeling unwell in the morning but recovers by lunchtime please bring him/her to school for the afternoon session.
In line with national guidance, holidays during term time are not permitted and may result in a penalty notice from the Local Authority. If you need to take your child out of school for any reason, a term-time absence form must be completed and returned to the Headteacher. Holiday lists are sent out to parents and further copies are available from the school office. Dates are also published on the school website.
Your child's attendance is monitored in line with the school's attendance policy. If your child’s attendance falls below 93% during a half term, you will receive a letter advising you of the percentage attendance. Attendance is monitored by the school in conjunction with the Local Authority.
Punctuality
Children in Key Stage 2 must be lined up in the junior playground by 8.55am. If children arrive after classes have gone in, they must come to the main entrance so that their attendance is noted.
Children in Key Stage 1 and Reception must be lined up in the infant playground by 8.55am. If children arrive after the bell has been rung at 8.55am they must come to the main entrance so that their attendance is noted.
Children who arrive late miss introductions and explanations for lessons, which affects their ability to make progress. Lateness is monitored and, where concerns persist, the school works with the Local Authority to support improvement. We also review attendance and punctuality over each half term.