Attendance & Punctuality
Research shows that students who attend school regularly make better progress within their academic studies as well as socially. Excellent attendance not only supports students academically and socially but also prepares them for the world of work.
We strive for all our students to have at least 95% attendance, making the most of the opportunities that are made available to them both within lessons, social times and within our extensive extra-curricular programme. These opportunities will positively impact your child both now and for their future choices.
Parents and carers play a pivotal role in promoting positive attitudes towards attendance. We ask for support in ensuring that students are on time and ready to learn at every opportunity, avoiding absence which is unnecessary.
We aim to work in partnership with parents and carers to ensure regular attendance and good punctuality. We seek parents and carers support in ensuring that their children attend school every day and welcome the opportunity to work together in resolving any difficulties.
Punctuality Matters
St John Fisher Catholic Academy Attendance
SJF Attendance in the School Day
Attendance Ladder - Every Minute Counts
Attendance - Term Time Absence
Legal Requirements Whilst at School
Working Together to Improve School Attendance
Online Support Around School Attendance - Mental Health School Anxiety
Online Support Around School Attendance - Behaviour Support Guidance Links
We ask all parents and carers to work with us in ensuring that their child arrives on time each day. A prompt start helps create a calm and focused beginning to the school day and ensures no important messages or valuable learning opportunities are missed.
At St John Fisher Catholic Academy, the school day begins at 8.45am. To be ready for a prompt start, all students are expected to arrive by 8.40am so they can go straight to form and begin the day calmly and confidently.
Please note that students should not arrive on school grounds before 8.30am, as the entrance doors to the school building open at 8.40am.
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Students in Years 7 to 11 should enter the school grounds via the green gate entrance to the Chapel playground.
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If a student arrives after 8.45am, they must enter the building via main reception and sign in at Student Services.
At the end of the day, we kindly ask that all students vacate the building by 3.35pm, unless they are taking part in a Headteacher-approved, supervised after-school activity.
Reporting an Absence
What to do if your child is unable to attend school:
If your child is too unwell to attend the school please use Report Absence form to both notify the school of, and provide updates on, any unplanned absences such as illness.
What to do if your child has an appointment:
If your child has an appointment please use the Report Absence form to notify the school of planned absences such as medical appointments.
We request that all routine medical, dental or other appointments, where possible, are made outside of school time. Where an urgent appointment is required or a hospital appointment within a day clinic has been made, we will require medical evidence in the form of an appointment card or letter to authorise the absence from school.
We ask where possible parents/ carers ensure that your child attends school before and after the appointment to maximise their learning opportunities for that day.
The school will decide if the reason provided for a pupil’s absence is Authorised or Unauthorised.
Examples of Authorised Absence
- Genuine illness, medical evidence will need to be provided if this is long term
- Unavoidable medical appointment
- Religious Observance
- Death of a close family member
Examples of Unauthorised Absence
- Tired
- Illness of parent
- Refusing to attend
- Birthdays or anniversaries
- No clean uniform, damaged uniform or buying school shoes
- Holiday during term time
Who to contact about your child’s attendance or punctuality:
Parents with concerns should contact the school Education Welfare and Attendance Officer, Mrs Bath on 01423 887254.
Leave of Absence
An authorised leave of absence will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. The government advise parents / carers to avoid taking their child out of school during term time as this will negatively impact their education.
If you require a leave of absence for your child, you must request this in writing by completing the leave of absence form on the website.
Holidays in Term Time
In accordance with new government regulations from September 2013, schools are no longer permitted to authorise any holidays during term time. Holidays, therefore, should be taken during school holiday time. Leave may only be granted in “exceptional circumstances”.