School Attendance
School Attendance
At St. Teresa's, we believe that good attendance and punctuality are essential for every child’s learning, wellbeing, and success. We work closely with parents and carers to ensure that children attend school regularly and arrive on time, giving them the best possible start to each day.
Why Attendance Matters
Regular attendance helps children to:
Make strong progress in their learning
Build confidence and independence
Develop friendships and feel part of the school community
Establish positive habits for later life
Even small amounts of missed learning can quickly add up and may affect a child’s achievement and wellbeing.
Our Attendance Expectations
The Department for Education (DfE) has set schools a clear expectation for high levels of attendance.
Our school attendance target is 97%
Last year, our overall attendance was 96.7%
We are committed to continuing to improve attendance so that every child has the best possible opportunity to succeed
To keep families informed, we include a weekly attendance update in the school newsletter, showing how the school is progressing towards our target and encouraging us all to work together.
What Is Good Attendance?
The DfE defines attendance as follows:
96–100% – Good attendance
94–90% – Attendance Concern
90% or below – Persistent absence
While 90% attendance may sound acceptable, it actually means:
A child is missing one day of school every two weeks
Over a school year, this adds up to around four weeks of lost learning
This is a significant amount of time away from essential teaching, routines, and social development.
When Children Should Be Absent
We fully understand that children may sometimes need to be absent due to:
Genuine illness
Medical appointments
Unavoidable family circumstances
We appreciate parents keeping us informed when this happens. Please remember:
Vomiting or diarrhoea requires 48 hours off school
Minor coughs, colds, or tiredness usually do not require absence
If you are unsure, please contact the school office for advice.
Punctuality Matters Too
Arriving on time is an important part of good attendance.
Being late:
Results in lost learning time
Can cause children to feel unsettled
Means missing key introductions to lessons
Just 10 minutes late each day adds up to almost a full week of lost learning over a year.
We appreciate your support in ensuring children arrive on time for a calm and settled start to the school day.
How We Monitor Attendance and Punctuality
To provide timely support, attendance and punctuality are monitored closely at the end of each term:
Below 94% attendance
Parents will receive a message as an early warning
90% or below (persistent absence)
Myself or Mr Biggs will contact you directly
This may be by phone, email, or letter
Concerns about punctuality
Parents will be contacted personally
We will work together to support improved morning routines
Our approach is always supportive and collaborative, not punitive.
Working in Partnership with Families
We understand that attendance difficulties can sometimes be linked to health, anxiety, or family circumstances. Our aim is to work in partnership with parents and offer support wherever possible.
If you have any questions or feel you may need support regarding attendance or punctuality, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Holmes. Early communication helps us work together in the best interests of your child.
Term-Time Holidays
In line with DfE guidance:
Holidays during term time cannot be authorised, except in exceptional circumstances
Requests must be made in advance
Unauthorised holidays may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice issued by Lancashire County Council