Attendance Update

We are pleased to provide an update to all families regarding some changes that have recently been outlined by our regulating bodies (Department of Education & Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust) regarding children’s attendance, absence requests and medical appointments.

It is widely acknowledged that persistent school absence significantly harms students’ academic, social, and long-term prospects, leading to lower exam results, reduced future earnings, and increased risks of social exclusion and poor mental health. Attendance levels falling below 90% are classified as a Persistent Absence issue which can incur fines. To support positive attendance patterns there are now stricter guidelines around the criteria for approving absences.

With the aim of providing clarity to families we are pleased to outline below when absence can and cannot be permitted.

Absences can be authorised for bereavement, external exams, school visits (open days & transition days), awards, and are classed as ‘exceptional circumstances’. Absences cannot be authorised for holidays, birthdays, concerts, during term time. Consideration will be given for pre-approved elite sporting activities.

Children should attend school every day it is open except for statutory reasons like illness or when approved in advance (see above). We appreciate many children suffer from coughs and colds daily however we must encourage children to continue to attend school with these minor ailments. However, any child who needs Calpol throughout the day is not considered well enough to attend school. When a child has sickness and/or diarrhoea they need to stay at home for 48-hours in the same way as previously.

Please schedule routine medical appointments with GPs and dentists outside of school hours, except in emergency situations. We are aware that for some of our children regular hospital appointments are unavoidable and will of course be authorised. Please keep the office team updated with any pre planned appointments by emailing admin@stpeters.ycst.co.uk or by calling 01423 569684.

As a reminder, children must be at the class lines at 8.45am ready to start their day.

If children arrive after 9.00am, they will be recorded as late having missed morning registration. This is the responsibility of the family to ensure safe arrival on time, ready and prepared.

At St Peter’s we want to work together with our pupils and families to build resilience within our children and encourage determination & self-belief, by promoting a positive culture in which they can independently learn and grow.

Posted In Notices