At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, attendance is everyone’s responsibility. Our ambition is simple: every child in school, every day.

We know that regular attendance is essential for children’s learning, wellbeing and future life chances. We work closely with pupils, parents and carers to build strong routines, remove barriers to attendance and ensure every child feels safe, valued and supported.

Our Attendance Culture

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to:

  • Building positive, trusting relationships with pupils and families
  • Using a fair, consistent and supportive approach
  • Identifying barriers to attendance early and working proactively to remove them
  • Intervening swiftly when concerns arise
  • Working in partnership with parents and carers
  • Engaging external agencies when needed, especially where safeguarding is a concern
  • Fully adhering to all statutory guidance

Good attendance is celebrated and expected across our school.

Our Attendance Expectations

We expect pupils to have 97% attendance or above.

Attendance Level What This Means
97–100% Excellent attendance – celebrated and rewarded
95–97% Attendance monitored – informal support offered
90–95% At risk of persistent absence – targeted support put in place
Below 90% Persistent absence – formal attendance intervention
Below 50% Severe absence – external agency support required

 

 

 

 

 

How We Support Attendance

We understand that families may face challenges. At every stage, we listen and work together to remove barriers, which may include:

  • SEND or medical needs
  • Transport difficulties
  • Financial or uniform concerns
  • Family circumstances or routines

Support may include:

  • Breakfast club or soft starts
  • Meet and greet support
  • Help with uniform or transport
  • After-school clubs
  • Early Help and external agency support
  • Individual attendance plans

Our approach is stepped, personalised and supportive, becoming more formal only when needed.

Monitoring and Intervention

  • Attendance is analysed weekly to identify patterns early
  • Attendance is discussed regularly at staff meetings
  • Parents are contacted as soon as attendance falls below expectation
  • Formal meetings and attendance plans are used where attendance continues to decline
  • Where necessary, we may work with Local Authority Attendance and Engagement Teams

Reporting an Absence

Parents and carers must inform school of their child’s absence by 9:00am on the day of absence. Please telephone (01325 300337) or email (admin@stjosephsna.bhcet.org.uk).

If we have not heard from you:

  • We will make up to three phone calls during the day
  • For vulnerable pupils, contact is made before 9:30am
  • If no contact is made by 10:30am, a home visit may be carried out

Parents must provide a clear and specific reason for absence. Vague explanations cannot be accepted.

Parents are expected to make medical or dental appointments outside of school hours wherever possible. If unavoidable, pupils are expected to attend school before the appointment and return immediately following. Medical evidence may be requested.

Permission from the headteacher must be sought for all absences that occur during term-time. A ‘request for leave of absence form’ must be completed in advance of the absence (available from the school office). Under current regulations, schools cannot authorise any holidays taken in term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

We Celebrate Good Attendance

We believe recognition motivates pupils and builds positive habits.

Attendance is celebrated:

  • Weekly – class rewards, raffle tickets and attendance awards
  • Half-termly – certificates, postcards home and class rewards
  • Termly and yearly – certificates, vouchers and prizes
  • Classes earn money for their “attendance piggy bank” and choose rewards from our Attendance Menu

Excellent attendance is something we are proud of and love to celebrate.

Working Together

Strong attendance happens when school and families work together. If you have concerns or need support, please speak to us – we are here to help.

Together, we can ensure every child benefits from the full richness of school life at St Joseph’s.

Attendance Policy and Culture

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