Attendance Information
The first step to academic success is establishing excellent attendance habits. Student attendance is critical to achievement at all age levels.
St Joseph’s is committed to working with all of our families to ensure that students are able to strive for outstanding attendance. If you are aware of a circumstance impacting your child’s ability or willingness to attend school, then please make contact with their Form Tutor to discuss this as soon as possible.
How do I report my child's absence from school?
It is a parent/carer’s responsibility to notify school if their child is absent. It is required that contact is made with school every day that a child is absent unless otherwise arranged with the Attendance Officer. We ask please that contact is made with the school before 9:00am, and a clear and sufficient reason must be provided.
- Option 1 (preferred): E-mail explaining student absence to attendance@sjcs.org.uk
- Option 2: Phone call to school reception on 01722 335380
Please do not reply to text messages sent via the SchoolComms system, as these responses are not monitored.
Is my child is too ill to come to school?
Use the NHS “Is my child too ill for school?” page to help with decisions over whether your child should be in school or not. Most common ailments are not a reason to be off school, just like they would not be a reason to be off work.
Non-attendance will not be authorised for the following reasons listed below, unless they are being investigated by your doctor:
- Hay fever
- Headaches
- Tummy ache
- Feeling sick
- Toothache
- Banged / stubbed toes
- Blisters
- Periods
- Growing pain
- Pain after having Orthodontic treatment, i.e. having braces fitted
- Not slept well the night before
- Nose bleeds
- Brother or sister has been ill
- Parent or sibling has Covid-19
Taking medicine: Over the counter medicines can be given before school. After a form has been signed by a parent, we can keep Paracetamol on school premises for your child for all non-urgent illnesses. Please see Medical Support or contact reception for more information.
Still not sure? Remember, if your child comes to school and their condition worsens, they can seek the help of first aid at reception and if needed we will contact you so you can come and collect them. Developing this “give it a go” method will help build your child’s resilience.
What do I do if my child has a medical appointment or other planned absence?
Any absences which are known about in advance, such as doctor’s appointments, are to be sent to attendance@sjcs.org.uk. Please attach a copy of the paperwork for the appointment as soon as possible (such as hospital letter or appointment card). Please also clearly state what time your child will need to be signed out of school. All students must sign out of school at reception before leaving.
Unfortunately, even if absent for a medical appointment, a student is still classed as absent from school. This is beyond the school’s control. Please make appointments outside school hours where possible. If this is not possible, we recommend students attend school before and/or after the appointment, even if only briefly, before being signed out. This ensures that the impact on a child’s learning is minimal and their attendance will not be negatively impacted.
Can I take my child on holiday during school term time?
The expectation that students will not take holidays in term time (and therefore not miss school) is a national expectation, rather than just of the school. Permission for leave may only be granted under exceptional circumstances.
Requests must be submitted to Mr Higgins, Headteacher, prior to any firm booking or arrangements being made, and at least two weeks prior to the first day of planned absence.
Click here for Wiltshire guidance about Penalty Notices for Holidays Taken in Term Time.
I have phoned to explain why my child is sick, why has their attendance still gone down?
Even if an absence is categorised as authorised it is still a session of schooling missed and will negatively impact a students’ overall attendance percentage.
What do I do if my child has school-related anxiety?
If your child is suffering with school-related anxiety that is impacting their ability or willingness to attend, then please speak to the school. There is support we can offer to help with this.
However, the most effective support to help understand and overcome school anxiety starts at home. There are many resources available online to support you with this. Please have a look at our Mental Health and Wellbeing page, where there is a comprehensive list of resources for both parents/carers and pupils.
We also recommend the YoungMinds parent guide as a starting point for information and guidance for supporting your child.
What happens if my child does not attend school?
If your child does not attend school regularly (over 90%) the Local Authority can take action against you. This can be through a Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) or a summons to appear at Magistrates’ Court.
Please read this letter for parents regarding changes to attendance and penalty notices from August 2024.
My child has contacted me asking to come home, what should I do?
As you are probably aware, students are not allowed to contact home to ask parents to come and collect them from school. They should always, in the first instance report to Reception, who will decide whether a phone call home is the best course of action.
If, however, your child does contact you from school, we would ask that you remind them of this procedure and be rest assured that we will contact you if necessary.
However, we should remind you that if students do contact home directly and parents do come to school to collect, this absence would be classed as unauthorised and we would always try to see both the parent and student before they leave the school, so that we can discuss this with you.
What is the difference between authorised and unauthorised absensce?
Where a pupil is absent due to sickness and is genuinely unable to attend school, then the school, after being informed, may authorise a child’s absence.
It is important that you e-mail or phone the school as early as possible, if your child is going to be absent at the start of the day. You will receive a text message from the Attendance Officer if you do not inform us, as it is our duty to ensure your child is safe.
If the school is not provided with a suitable reason for absence, or the reason given is not sufficient, then it may be recorded as unauthorised. In cases where students have poor attendance (below 95%) the school may require additional evidence before authorising absences.
Should my child stay home if they have Covid-19?
If your child has mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, and feels well enough, they can go to school.
Your child should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and they either:
- have a high temperature
- do not feel well enough to go to school or do their normal activities
What to do if your child has tested positive:
Your child is no longer required to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if they have symptoms. But if your child has tested positive for COVID-19, they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test.
Read more about coronavirus on the government website.
Need further advice?
Speak to Educational Welfare (01225 718 230) who will be able to offer further advice on getting your child to school or how to overcome specific attendance barriers.
If your question hasn’t been answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing attendance@sjcs.org.uk.
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