St. Mark's R.C. Primary School

We believe that all people matter

Lateness/Absence Procedures

Why are good attendance and punctuality important?

A good education gives a child the best possible start in life. We must ensure that all our pupils have an equal chance to make good use of the education that the school offers by providing a positive and encouraging atmosphere. It is vitally important that children maintain good attendance and punctuality in order for them to achieve their full learning potential. When a child does not attend school regularly and on time they will have difficulty keeping up with their work and will therefore underachieve.

The school recognises that parents/carers have a vital role to play in supporting and encouraging good attendance and punctuality. By accepting responsibility in partnership with the school, we can work together to ensure the children’s right to a full education, as well as enabling parents/ carers to fulfil their legal responsibility.

 Click here to view our school Attendance and Punctuation Policy 

Lateness

It is very important for all children to attend school every day and to arrive on time. We ask children to arrive promptly between 8:40 - 8:50amAnyone arriving between 9:05am and 9:25am, when registers have closed, will be marked as late. Anyone arriving after 9:25am will be marked as an unauthorised absence.

 

Absences

If your child is absent from school, please call the school office on 0161 794 3876 to report your child's absence. This should be done as soon as possible once the absence has begun.  

Please note that medical appointments are still absences and can affect your child's learning if taken during school hours. Every effort should be made to arrange appointments outside of school hours. If this is not possible, children should attend school before and after their appointment. Appointment letters / texts should be shown at the school office when informing school about an appointment.

Holiday Requests

Under legislation from the DfE holidays taken in term time cannot be authorised except under exceptional circumstances which are considered on an individual basis. Requests for holidays must be made in writing using the holiday request form, available from the school office.

Authorisation for absence will not be given for outings, shopping trips or family visits. Holidays should be taken during the school breaks and not during term time. In exceptional circumstances permission may be sought from the headteacher and every case will be treated individually.

 

For further information please see our Attendance and Punctuality Guidance below:

 Attendance and Punctuality Guidance

 Attendance and Punctuality Guidance Appendices