At Saint Thomas' CofE Academy, we believe that excellent attendance and punctuality are essential for every child. Children should come to school every day and on time that school is open unless absolutely unavoidable. Promoting excellent attendance is the duty of everyone: parents/careers, staff and pupils. Occasionally children can be reluctant to come to school, we would encourage parents to discuss this with the class teacher in the first instance or is an ongoing concern our Deputy SENDCO and Attendance Champion - Mrs Debbie Cooke. 

Our Vision:
At St Thomas’, we strive to create a learning community where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full God given potential. We believe that regular attendance is essential for academic success and personal growth so children may flourish and make a positive impact in the world. By doing this they will be ‘living life in all its fullness’. (John 10:10)

Commitment to Attendance:
- Promote a school culture that recognises and rewards excellent attendance.
- Identify and support children with attendance barriers early.
- Collaborate with families and external agencies to reduce persistent absence.

Why is regular school attendance so impart for my child?

Regular Attendance at school means that your child can make the most of their education and improve their chances in adult life. School cam also help your child's social skills such as making and developing friendships. A regular and punctual attendance pattern will help your child when they continue their education journey at the next level and eventually when they enter the world of work. 

The link between attendance and attainment in school is clear. The more a pupil is in school, the more they increase their opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Little Heroes

We use the Little Heroes to support our attendance in school. 

Here

Everyday

Ready

On-time

 

Do you know the impact of the 'odd day' not in school? Please see the below ladder which highlights the importance of attendance in school. 

Request for leave of absence during term time.

The law states that parents do not have a right to take their child out of school for a holiday during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances may a headteacher grant permission for leave.

Late Procedures

• If a child arrives late (after 8:50am), they should make their way to the front office with their parent/ carer where they can sign in using the electronic app and give their reasons for lateness. 
• Late arrivals are monitored very closely and where there is continued lateness, the academy will invite parents/ carers in to discuss the problem and look at ways the academy and families can work together to support punctual attendance. 
• It is essential that children arriving late/ leaving early are signed in and out at the school office. The signing in/out app gives us a register that is used in case of an emergence or fire drill. 
• If a pupil is large but the register is still open, they are marked as late. Registers close at 8:50am. If a pupil arrives late it could be classed as an unauthorised absence. This may lead to legal action for note ensuring regular and punctual attendance. 
• Pupils who arrive late are missing an important part of the school day - every minute matters in school and learning starts from the moment the children enter the building. All lessons start promptly at 8:50am. Parents/ Carers are encouraged to help their child get off to the best possible start by helping them to be punctual and ready to begin the school day in a calm and happy frame of mind.
• Punctuality  is important because if, for example, a child arrives 15 minutes late each day, they loose almost 2 weeks of education a year. Over the course of their primary school life this is almost 12 weeks - equivialnt to 1 full term. 

Absence Procedures

• If your child is unwell and unable to come to school, you are required to contact the school on the first morning of absence (by 9:00) and every day after that, that your child is off school. 
• if you are unable to speak to a member of the admin team, please leave a message when telephoning the school. (Option 1 when ringing school). if the school does not receive information about your children absence, a member of staff will then contact you via telephone to enquire about the reasons for your child's absence. 
• if the academy still does not have a reason for absence, a home visit may take place from the attendance officer and champion to establish the reason for your child's absence.

Our Academy Attendance Champion is Mrs Debbie Cooke

Our Academy Attendance Officer is Mrs Katie Taylor 

Is my child too unwell for school?

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school or nursery when they are unwell. For more information and guide please look on the following NHS link for guidance and support. https://www.nhs.uk/Live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/ 

Useful Documents:

Please find below our Attendance and Absence policy 2025/2026. You will notice there are sections in red - this is for ease of reading as the red sections are changes/ updates to this years policy.