St. John’s CE (Thornham) Primary School is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all of its pupils/students and recognises that this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent school attendance for all. This is based upon the belief that only by attending school regularly and punctually will children and young people be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. High attainment depends on good attendance.

The whole school community – pupils/students, parents and carers, teaching and support staff and school governors – have a responsibility for ensuring good school attendance and have important roles to play. 

Absence

Children must only be absent from school if they are ill or have advance permission from the headteacher.  If your child is going to be absent, you must telephone the office stating the reason for their absence. Time off should be in line with NHS guidance.

Our telephone number is 0161-643 4687. If you are unable to telephone, please email the School Office at- office@stjohnsthornham-primary.org 

Appointments with doctors, dentists or at a hospital should be made outside school hours or in the holidays. Where this is not possible, the appointment card/letter must be brought into the School Office the day before so that the register can be marked accordingly. If parents and carers do not provide a reason for the absence it remains unauthorised.

Holidays in term time will not be granted and an unauthorised mark given.  Unless exceptional circumstances are agreed with the headteacher. A holiday request form must be completed in advance of any planned holiday. 

Unauthorised leave for 10 sessions (5 school days or more) will qualify for a fine. The Penalty Notice is £80, per child per parent/carer, if paid within 21 days or £160 if paid within 28 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in you being served a summons to appear at the Magistrates Court. In the case of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160. If the national threshold is met for a third time (or subsequent times) within 3 years, legal action with be enforced.

Attendance awards

Children and classes are rewarded for good attendance and the rewards include:

• attendance certificates and weekly class attendance cup
• at the end of the year bronze, silver, gold and 100% certificates and prizes are awarded to those children who have achieved 95%+, 97%+, 98%+ and 100% attendance throughout each term.
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We reward good attendance because we know it raises achievement. Details of the attendance figures are published weekly in the school newsletter.

Punctuality (Lateness)

It is very important that your child has the right start to their day. Children who arrive late miss learning time and this causes them to miss important instructions or explanations. Learning time starts at 8.55am.  Please ensure that your child is in school on time. Children who arrive late must report to the office and be signed in by an adult and their reason for lateness will be recorded.

Children who arrive after 9.30am are recorded as an unauthorised absence and this is recorded in the register.