At St Teresa's we aim for 100% attendance and punctuality from all children, as we know it gives them the best possible start in life and helps them to keep up with their learning.

Why is attendance so important?

Absence

If your child is absent from school for any reason, please remember that we need some form of official notification.

The best way to do this is to ‘phone the school office. As part of our attendance strategy, we will call you if your child does not arrive for school.   

We ask that parents and carers book any medical appointments outside the school day where possible.

It is worth remembering that children constantly absent from school without good reason are, generally speaking, less likely to succeed in life than those with a good attendance record.

Penalty Notices

Penalty fines can be issued to parents whose children regularly miss school without good reason.

Penalty Notices are issued in consultation with the Educational Welfare Officer.  On receipt of the Notice, the penalty is £60 if paid within 21 days, rising to £120 if paid after 28 days but within 42 days.  Failure to pay the penalty in full by the end of the 42 day period may result in prosecution by the local authority.

The following circumstances will be considered appropriate reasons for the issuing of Penalty Notices:

• Truancy
• Parentally-condoned absences
• Excessive term-time holidays
• Excessive delayed return from extended holidays
• Persistent lateness after the register has closed