Attendance Matters

Regular school attendance and punctuality are essential for children’s learning, wellbeing and development. At St Paul’s, we believe that good attendance helps children grow in confidence, maintain friendships and achieve their best academically. Based on our Christian foundation, we value every child and work closely with families to understand and remove barriers to attendance, putting the right support in place where needed.

Attendance is a shared responsibility between school, parents and pupils. Improving attendance is not just about being in school, but about ensuring children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.

Why is regular attendance important?

Attending school regularly helps to ensure that:

• Learning is continuous and uninterrupted

• Children achieve their best across the curriculum

• Friendships and positive relationships with staff are maintained

• Children are in a safe, structured environment

Research shows that children who miss significant amounts of school time can fall behind their peers.

How parents can help

Parents and carers can support good attendance by:

• Ensuring children arrive on time every day, ready to learn

• Informing school promptly about absences

• Making routine medical appointments outside school hours where possible

• Supporting school expectations, including behaviour and attendance policies

• Keeping school informed of any concerns that may affect attendance

Reporting absence

If your child is absent, please:

• Contact the school by telephone on the first day of absence

• Explain the reason for absence and expected return date

• Provide medical evidence if requested for repeated illness-related absences

If we do not hear from you, the school will contact you to ensure your child is safe.

Authorised and unauthorised absence

Authorised absences may include:

• Genuine illness

• Medical or dental appointments (evidence may be requested)

• Religious observance

• Exceptional circumstances agreed by the Headteacher

Unauthorised absences include:

• Holidays taken during term time without permission

• Shopping, haircuts or birthdays

• Oversleeping

• Looking after family members

Parents should be aware that absence can only be authorised by the school, not by parents.

Lateness

School registration begins at 8:45am.

• Children arriving after 8:55am will be recorded as late

• Children arriving after the register has closed will be recorded as unauthorised late unless a valid reason is provided

Persistent lateness will be monitored and support offered where needed.

Leave of absence during term time

Parents do not have an automatic right to take children out of school during term time. Requests for leave of absence must be made in advance using the school’s Leave of Absence Request Form (download from the bottom of this page) and will be considered on an individual basis by the Headteacher.

If permission is not granted and a child is absent, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and may result in further action.