Attendance at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School

Attendance and punctuality are very important priorities for each of the children who attend our school.

We know that for our pupils to achieve a good standard of academic and social success they need to attend school. We also understand that we need to work closely with our families and outside support agencies in order that our policy is clear that pupil absences other than for reasons of illness will not be authorised unless in exceptional circumstances.

Parental requests for their child to be absent from school during term time will normally be  refused and any such absence will  be classed as unauthorised.

Attendance

It is a statutory requirement for all schools to attain attendance levels set by the Government.

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary attendance target this year is 97%.

However, the aim is for all individual pupils to have 100% attendance.

If a child’s attendance falls below 91%, they will be deemed a Persistent Absentee. St Patrick’s School staff monitor the absences of all children that fall below 96%. Lateness affects children’s attendance levels. If a child does become a ‘persistent absentee’, the school and the Local Authority have a legal duty to act to support parents to improve attendance. The Painsley Academy Education Welfare Officer also monitors attendance levels and regular meetings are held with parents where their child’s attendance becomes a concern.

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School bands its pupils' attendance as below:

100% – outstanding
98.01% – 99.9% (with no unauthorised absence) -excellent
96.01% – 98% (with no unauthorised absence) - good
90.01% – 96% - concerning and requires improvement
90% and under - persistent absentee

In line with government legislation that came into force from 1st September 2013, we at St Patrick’s will NOT authorise any term time absence, unless in exceptional circumstances. If you feel your situation exceptional then you will need to make an appointment to meet with the Mr Brandon (Principal). All requests for a planned absence are to be made in writing in line with School policy.  A letter is then sent from the Principal to give clear guidance about whether the time request off school will be authorised or not.

If your child has unauthorised leave of absence you may either be issued with a penalty notice or, your case could be referred by the local authority directly to the magistrates’ court.

If an appointment needs to be within school hours, we will need to see proof of the appointment card and we will expect the child to attend school before or after the appointment if possible. Please bring the appointment card with you when you collect or return your child to school and show the office staff the appointment card. Thank you.

Parents will appreciate that each day that your child is absent from school, is a day of their education that they are missing out on.

Absence

Please contact the School Office to inform us that your child will be absent from school before 8.30am.

We will contact you if we do not hear from you.

If your child is going to be absent from school for a few days please keep us updated on their medical condition.

Thank you.

Reception to Year 6: 

School starts at 8.40am (gates are opened and children can go straight to classrooms).

Registration 8.50am (it is expected that all children are in class for registration)

School finishes at 3.15pm (Reception Class finishes at 3.10pm)

Nursery 

We run morning and afternoon sessions, which run between 9.00am – 12.00am and 12.00pm – 3.00pm.

Morning break time:

KS1: 10.25am – 10.40am   (EYFS + KS1 - fruit/ vegetable choice available),

KS2: 10:25am - 10:40am

KS1 Lunch: 12.10pm - 12:55pm (All children in Reception, Y1 and Y2 are entitled to a free school meal)

KS2 Lunch: 12:20pm - 1:05 pm

Staff will take responsibility for pupils at 8.40am.  Once the children have been dismissed at 3.15pm, they are then in the care of their parents/carers.