St Austin's RC PrimaryAttendance
At St Austin's, we know that it is vital that our children attend school regularly and punctually to achieve best life outcomes. We want our children to become the best versions of themselves; academically, socially and morally as they grow into the next generation of our community. Good school attendance is the foundation to this.
‘Attendance is EVERYBODY’S responsibility’
We expect all our children to achieve at least a 96% attendance percentage each year. However, we know that there can sometimes be exceptional reasons why children cannot attend school, such as illness.
We will listen, understand, empathise, and provide support when children are unable to attend school – however we will not tolerate poor attendance and will always be proactive in helping our families to improve this, enable children to return to the classroom as soon as possible.
Fixed Penalty Notices
With effect from 19th August 2024, the school is unable to authorise any requests for absence relating to holidays in term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
In order to have requests for a leave of absence considered, school expects parents to complete a leave of absence form, at least two weeks prior to the proposed start date of the leave of absence, providing the reason for the proposed absence and the dates during which the absence would be expected to occur.
If term-time leave is not granted, taking a pupil out of school will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and may result in sanctions, such as a Fixed Penalty Notice. An unauthorised holiday of 10 sessions (5 school days) or more, within a 10 school week period, will incur a Fixed Penalty Notice- please see Penalty Notice section above.
School cannot grant leaves of absence retrospectively; therefore, any absences that were not approved by school in advance will be marked as unauthorised.
For more information and frequently asked questions, please visit Fines for parents for taking children out of school: What you need to know – The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)
