If your child is sick and cannot attend school please make sure that you telephone the school office (01474 533515) by 9:15am at the latest 

Please report the absence by any of the following forms of communication; phone call, voicemail, email (any of these methods will be suitable)

Please clearly state your child's name, class and a reason for their absence. 

You must call everyday to inform us of your child's absence unless you have provided information about a return date. 

If your child has sickness and diarrhoah they will need to be absent from school for 48 hours after the symptoms have ceased. 

Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings:

Guidance_on_infection_control_in schools_poster.pdf (hscni.net)

School attendance update 2024/25 

We are writing to you because the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced some new legislation for schools and Local Authorities for managing school attendance. They have also introduced a new national framework for penalty notices and amended the law. These changes come into effect from 19th August 2024 and all schools and Local Authorities will be expected to follow the new statutory guidance. In the letter you will find information regarding the key changes to this legislation, as well as some important reminders regarding our own policy and practice in relation to school attendance. 

Why regular attendance matters 

The importance of regular attendance at school cannot be stressed enough. We firmly believe that regular school attendance is essential for the educational progress and overall wellbeing of our pupils. Consistent school attendance allows your child to: 

• Fully engage in learning and make academic progress 

• Develop critical social skills by interacting with their friends and teachers 

• Grow in confidence in a supportive and nurturing school environment 

• Build a sense of routine and responsibility, essential for future success.  
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Attendance support 

We understand that some pupils may face challenges that impact their attendance. We aim to work collaboratively with families to address any issues affecting attendance. If you are facing challenges that may impact your child’s ability to attend school, or if you are aware of any concerns your child may be having in school, please do contact Mrs Thompson (Family Liason Officer), so that we can work together to provider support and find solutions. 

Acceptable reasons for absence 

We recognise that there are circumstances where a pupil's absence can't be avoided. 

Acceptable reasons for being absent from school include: 

• Illness: when your child is unwell, either physically or mentally, and unable to attend school 

• Medical appointments: if your child has a medical appointment that cannot be scheduled outside school hours, please notify us in advance and provide relevant documentation (e.g. an appointment card) 

• Religious observance: we respect the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of our pupils. If your child needs to be absent for religious observance, please submit a request and the headteacher will review it 

• Exceptional circumstances: in exceptional situations, such as family emergencies or unforeseen events, please contact the school immediately to discuss the absence. 

How to report absences 

If your child is sick and cannot attend school please make sure that you telephone the school office (01474 533515) by 9:15am at the latest  

Please report the absence by any of the following forms of communication; phone call, voicemail, email (any of these methods will be suitable) 

Please clearly state your child's name, class and a reason for their absence.  

You must call everyday to inform us of your child's absence unless you have provided information about a return date.  

If your child has sickness and diarrhoah they will need to be absent from school for 48 hours after the symptoms have ceased. 

Penalty notices from September 2024 

The headteacher may issue a fine (known as a fixed-penalty notice) for unauthorised absence. If issued with one, you’ll need to pay this directly to the local authority.  

The decision whether to issue a fine will take into account whether the national threshold has been met – namely 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a rolling period of 10 school weeks – as well as other factors.  

Before a fine is issued, you may receive a notice to improve to give you a chance to engage with support. 

From September 2024, the first penalty notice issued to a parent in respect of a particular pupil will be charged at £160 if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. A second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same pupil is charged at a flat rate of £160 if paid within 28 days. A third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of issue of the first. In a case where the national threshold is met for a third time (or subsequent times) within those 3 years, alternative action should be taken instead. This will often include considering prosecution, but may include other tools such as one of the other attendance legal interventions.   

Rewards for good attendance 

We value and recognise good attendance at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Pupils who maintain excellent attendance records throughout the academic year are eligible for special rewards and recognition.  

Let's work together to celebrate and encourage regular attendance. 

Thank you for your co-operation in making sure your child receives the best possible educational experience.