Attendance 

One of the key factors that contribute to a pupil’s success in school is good attendance and punctuality. When children attend school consistently, they have more opportunities to learn and engage in class, build strong relationships with their peers, and develop positive habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Every school day counts, and even a few missed days can add up, impacting your child's academic progress. Research shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in assessments and develop a strong foundation for future learning.

The government sets high expectations for school attendance and our school target is a minimum 97%.

It is a statutory duty for parents to ensure that children attend school on a daily basis. Your involvement and support are crucial to your child’s education, and we are committed to working with you to make every school year a positive and productive one.

Absence

We understand that children may occasionally need to miss school due to illness or family emergencies. If your child is struggling with attendance, we are here to support you and work together to find solutions that will help your child succeed.

Please keep in mind the following guidelines to help ensure regular attendance:

• Start the day on time: School begins promptly at 8:55am, with the school gates opening at 8:45am.
• Schedule appointments outside of school hours: Whenever possible, schedule medical and other appointments after school or during holidays to minimise disruptions to your child’s learning.
• Illness: Only keep children at home when they are genuinely too unwell to attend. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
• Communicate with us: If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, please contact the school office by 9:00am to report their absence. Alternatively you can email the school office at office@stmarksce.co.uk to report the absence. All absences causing concern will be followed up by a telephone call or text.

Attendance Policy

Local Authority Attendance Penalties