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.

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.

Castletown Primary 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 8.50am. Click here to access the School Office page, which has school day timings.

We understand that, on occasions, there may be unavoidable reasons for your child’s absence. You should notify the school by 8.45am on the first day of your child’s absence by telephoning the main school number 0191 549 7777.  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

The school gates officially open at 8.30am for children to enter the school.  A member of staff will be present at the school gate to meet the children.  Please make sure your child does not enter any earlier than this time as there will not be any adult supervision.  Registration takes place in class at 8.50am.  If your child arrives after 8.50am, please report to the school office.

Holidays during term time

Information regarding school holidays can be found in our ‘Parents’ 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 Leave of Absence 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.