Every pupil at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy should try to maintain an attendance level of 97% and above, in line with the Government’s expectations. It is the responsibility of everyone in our school community – parents, carers, pupils, staff, and governors to ensure they achieve this. Therefore, we monitor and review the attendance of all pupils constantly.
“Absences add up! Missing just 2 days a month means a child misses 10% of the school year.” Our whole School Attendance Target for 2023/24 is 97%.
At St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy, we are very aware of the link between good attendance and good progress. Research has shown that the lower the attendance of a learner, the lower the GCSE grade at the end of Year 11. Less than 95% attendance every year in school equals a 1 grade difference across ALL GCSE grades. As a result, we have set our school target for attendance at 97% and expect all learners to achieve this. Additionally, this is useful preparation for the workplace, where an absence rate of 5% or above would be considered a cause for concern.
If a learner does not attend school or is not taking part in an approved educational activity, they are classed as ABSENT from school. This means that if your child is off school for any reason, even if they are ill or have medical permission to be off school, they are still classed as ABSENT.
100% Attendance = 190 days at school
8 days absence is 96%
12 days absence is 94%
19 days absence is 90%
29 days absence is 85%
38 days absence is 80%
47 days absence is 75%
Our Y11 students who undertook GCSE examinations in 2023 proved that attendance matters. Those students who attended a minimum of 97% achieved on average a Grade 6 or higher. See the table below.
What is classed as Persistent Absence?
Persistent Absence is classed as any absence that equates to over 10% of the academic year at any given time. Any learner who appears on the persistent absence list may be monitored by St Helens School Attendance Services. The thresholds are set out below:
Close of 1st half-term: 3.5 days in total
Close of 2nd half-term: 7 days in total
Close of 3rd half-term: 10 days in total
Close of 4th half-term: 12.5 days in total
Close of 5th half-term: 15.5 days in total
Close of 6th half-term: 19 days in total
Rewards for getting it right!
By having attendance on or above 97% or significantly improving attendance throughout the year your child will qualify for a range of attendance rewards during each half term. This will include but is not limited to; individual/ group/year group rewards and each term, there will be an opportunity to qualify for an attendance reward activity.
What can parents/carers do to ensure good attendance?
- Ensure your child attends every day, on time, equipped and ready to learn.
- Ensure school has up to date addresses and telephone numbers.
- Contact school the first morning of absence by 8:30am to provide your reason for absence.
- Absence line number – 01744 678112 Extension – 204
- Contact the school each day of absence until your child returns to school.
- The school is responsible for deciding if the absence is acceptable or not and whether to authorise or unauthorise the absence.
- Ensure medical appointments are made outside of school time. If this is not possible, your child needs to be in school prior to and after the appointment. We will need medical evidence upon their return.
- Holiday requests during term time will not be authorised. Parents who take their children out of school for a holiday may be issued with a Penalty Notice.
- Contact school if you are having trouble getting your child into school and school can look to put the appropriate support in to place.
- Work with the school and any other agency to resolve any difficulties which may affect regular school attendance.
