Attendance
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we place a high value on good attendance and punctuality. Every child is reminded of the importance of attending school regularly during Friday assemblies and through the Friday Note.
We believe that improving attendance is a shared responsibility between parents and school. Regular attendance is essential for children to achieve their full potential academically, socially, and personally. Working in partnership ensures that every child has the best opportunity to succeed.
Our attendance policy is designed with the safety and welfare of all children at the heart of it. It is important that both school and parents know where children are during the school day, so keeping us informed about absences or lateness is vital.
School Attendance Target
St Joseph’s aims to achieve an overall attendance of 96%, in line with Local Authority expectations. We understand that illness and unforeseen circumstances may affect attendance.
At the start of each term, parents receive an Attendance Letter, outlining Local Authority guidelines on Education Penalty Notices (EPN) as a gentle reminder of our attendance process. Attendance and punctuality are monitored weekly by the Pastoral Manager.
When We Contact You
A personalised letter may be sent if:
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Your child’s attendance falls below the school target.
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Attendance continues to drop.
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Attendance improves following the original letter.
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No reason for absence has been reported.
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Your child is consistently late.
Reporting Absence or Lateness
If your child will be absent or late, please contact the school before 8.40am on 01942 606395. Leave a message with the office staff or on the answerphone, including:
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Your child’s name
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Your child’s class
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Reason for absence or lateness
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Expected date of return or the time your child will arrive
If the school is not informed, the Pastoral Team will contact you by text or phone. If we cannot make contact, a home visit may be carried out to ensure the safety of your child.
Is my child too ill for school?