Attendance
Attendance
We are committed to ensuring that all of the children at St Mary & St Josephs's are able to reach their full potential. Being in school regularly is a vital part of this. Whilst we understand that there are occasions when children are unwell, we do expect all pupils to be in school whenever possible. Should you have any issues around attendance which you wish to discuss, please don’t hesitate to speak to a member of staff who will be happy to help.
If your child’s attendance is of a concern to the school, a member of the senior leadership team will contact you to discuss how we can work together to improve it.
Punctuality
Our doors open at 8.50am and the day begins at 9.00am. It is vital that children are on time to school as important learning takes place as soon as they enter the classroom. During registration time, children are heard read and practice important arithmetic skills. The first lesson of the day, phonics or reading, provides the building blocks for all further learning.
5 minutes late each day = 15 hours over the year = 3 days of lost learning time
Absence from school
There are some important changes to attendance that start on 19th August 2024. It is important for you to know that from September, the way penalty notices for absences from school are issued, is changing. Whilst it is our aim to avoid this route at all costs, we would like you to be aware of the new rules:
THE EDUCATION (PENALTY NOTICES) (ENGLAND) (AMENDMENT)
REGULATIONS 2024 No. 210.
New legislation comes into force on 19.08.24 regarding the criteria and the issue of penalty notices to address school attendance to commence in September 2024.
The following changes have been made:
- the number of unauthorised absences to 10 unauthorised absences (5 days) in the most recent 10 school week period.
- the number of penalty notices that can be issued to a parent in respect of the same individual child to two within a 3-year period.
- It increases the amount of the penalty notice from £120 to £160 (if paid within 28 days) and £60 to £80 (if paid within 21 days) for the first penalty notice issued to a parent in respect of the same individual child in a 3-year period.
- It sets the amount of any second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same individual child within 3 years of the date the first penalty notice was issued to £160 to be paid within 28 days. No discount is offered.
- Further absences will proceed for prosecution in the Magistrate Court for the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of the first penalty was issued.
Further information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance
If you require any further information, please contact the school office.
Notifying school of absences
Please ensure that you inform school on your child’s first day of absence by 8.40am. You can do this by telephoning, leaving a voicemail or going into the office. Please continue to inform us daily of absences longer than a single day. It is school policy to make contact with parents/carers if we are unaware of reasons for absence, by phone or via text. Absences without reason will be unauthorised and a number of these could lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice fine.
Sickness/Diarrhoea
We ask that children who have had sickness and/or diarrhoea do not return to school until 48 hours after the last symptoms.