Attendance

It is important that your child attends school regularly and arrives on time at the start of the school day. Good attendance and punctuality at school will help your child achieve in the classroom and help them learn the importance of not being late.

The school target for attendance is 96%

Attendance and punctuality is taken very seriously at St Richard’s and is monitored closely by the school’s Leadership Team and Governing Body. Trends in lateness and absence will be quickly identified and appropriate action taken. An Educational Welfare Officer may become involved if there are ongoing concerns about your child’s attendance and punctuality at school.

PUNCTUALITY AND LATENESS

The school gates are opened at 8.30am and classroom doors open at 8.35am to give children a gentle start to their school day. Early morning activities are set by the class teachers during the registration period before assembly/collective worship at 9am. Registration is at 8.45am. Arrival after this time will be recorded as late. If your child arrives at school after 8.45am then you must sign your child in at the school office giving a reason for their lateness. Children will have to ‘payback’ the time missed when they are late, as detailed in the school’s Attendance Policy, which can be found under policies.

Being late can be distressing for your child as it is embarrassing and doesn’t allow them the opportunity to settle into the school day alongside their peers. It is also disruptive as the class teacher usually gives the class important information about the day ahead, which is interrupted or has to be repeated for latecomers. Furthermore, learning activities commence at 8.45am in most classes, so lateness often results in missed learning time and further disruption to the whole class.

ATTENDANCE

At St Richard’s good punctuality and attendance is rewarded each week. The class in each Key Stage with the highest weekly attendance over the school target is given the attendance cup and pupils with 100% attendance are given an award at the end of each school term.

If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, you must call the school office by 9.30am giving your child’s full name, class and the reason for absence. It is your responsibility to contact the school.

Coughs, colds, sore throats etc. are common in schools and unfortunately tend to spread quickly, especially in the winter months. It is important that we teach children to be resilient when coping with minor illnesses such as these and they should try and attend school. If we feel your child is not well enough to be at school, we will contact you to come and collect them. Medical evidence may be requested by the school if your child is unwell due to illness and their attendance is below 96%. Without this evidence, absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME

Holidays during term time are not permitted and will be recorded as an unauthorised absence. The Local Authority will be informed and a fine may be issued.

Any absence during term time that is not due to illness requires a “Request for Absence” form to be completed. These are available from the school office.