Attendance

How do we promote positive school attendance?

We celebrate good school attendance throughout the year. Every term we award attendance certificates to individual children who achieve 95%+ and 100% attendance. In our weekly Friday ‘Good Work Award’  assembly we also celebrate the best weekly class attendance. Winning classes receive additional playtime minutes.

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Well done to this week’s attendance winner – Year 4H with 100% attendance!

Previous Class Winners

So why is school attendance so important?

All pupils need to attend school regularly to benefit from their education – it is central to raising standards in education and ensuring all pupils can fulfil their potential. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind. Children with poor attendance tend to achieve less in both primary and secondary school. Parents need to perform their legal duty by ensuring their children of compulsory school age who are registered at school attend regularly.

The government expects:

• Schools and local authorities to:
  • Promote good attendance and reduce absence, including persistent absence;
  • Ensure every pupil has access to full-time education to which they are entitled;
  • act early to address patterns of absence.

St Mary Magdalen’s recognises the vital role good attendance plays in your child’s school life and academic achievement. We expect all children to attend school regularly and punctually in order to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.

The school day begins at 9.00 a.m. and finishes at 3.15 p.m (3.00 for EYFS)

We understand that, on occasions, there may be unavoidable reasons for your child’s absence. You should notify the school by 8.45 a.m. on the first day of your child’s absence. You can leave a message regarding your child’s absence by telephoning the main school number 0191 5813055. In the event that your child’s absence is likely to be prolonged please contact the head teacher. St Mary Magdalen’s works in conjunction with the Education Welfare Service to support pupils to achieve good attendance. Those pupils achieving 90% attendance and below will be closely monitored. Unauthorised absences for any reason can lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice issued to each person with parental responsibility.

Punctuality

Arriving to school on time is vitally important if children are to succeed. Children who are punctual are happier and more successful in school.  Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that their children arrive at school on time. Children are expected to be in the school school yard by 8.50 a.m.

Further information, on school attendance, can be found on the Durham County Council website.

Holidays during term time

Information regarding school holidays can be found in our ‘Information’ section of our school website.

Can I ask parents to be aware of the following when requesting holiday absence:
1. Holiday’s are granted entirely at the school’s discretion. Parents do not have a right to holiday leave for their child.
2. A holiday request form must be completed and handed into the school office (forms can be obtained from the school office or downloaded from the school website).
3. The headteacher will make a decision child by child. Only in exceptional circumstances will holidays during term time be granted.
5. The fact that a holiday has been bought by another family member or as a gift will not affect the decision made.