At St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, our children enjoy learning and want to be in school.

We also understand that the last two years have been particularly challenging, however it is more important than ever that we ensure all children attend school every day.

Our target for 2023-2024 remains at 96%; this means that on average no pupil misses more than 4% of school days (less than seven days). Good attendance is a key to any child being able to fulfil their potential and make good progress in school. We have very effective systems in school to monitor attendance and parents of children whose attendance falls below what is acceptable will be subject be invited to meet with the school to discuss how to overcome any issues.

Lateness

Poor punctuality is not acceptable. Lessons start at 8.45 am and if a child misses the start of the day they miss work and do not spend time with their class teacher getting vital information and news for the day.  Late arriving pupils also disrupt lessons and being late can be embarrassing and upsetting for the child.

Children arriving late will be marked in by the Office Staff, where additional information regarding number of minutes late and the reason is recorded on SIMS.  

It is the expectation of the school that all pupils attend registration and lessons on time every day. The school gate opens at 8:40 am and closes at 9:00 am after which children will be directed into school via the main entrance.

We will always listen,empathise and support parents and children with attendance however, we will not tolerate persistent absence at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School.

It is the expectation of the school that all children will attend school 100% of the time.

If you have any queries regarding attendance then please contact the Assistant Head, Mrs Çerikan, on 01242 513339 or email scerikan@st-thomasmore.gloucs.sch.uk who will offer help and support.  

Attendance and Absence

At St Thomas More, we recognise the importance of regular attendance. The overall level of attendance that we aim to achieve is 100%. Ideally, there should be no unauthorised absence.

All pupils should attend school for every session that is available to them, unless the reason for their absence is one that meets the school’s criteria for authorising absences, e.g. illness, non-routine medical/dental appointments, religious observance, educational visits and another unavoidable cause.

Legal Duty as a Parent

The parent of any child at St Thomas More has a legal duty to secure the regular attendance of that child. Failure to secure the regular attendance at school of a registered pupil is a criminal offence which can lead to prosecution of the parent(s) in a magistrates’ court.

Gloucestershire Local Authority have produced information leaflets which parents are advised to download and read. These leaflets are available by following the links below.

Holidays During Term-Time

With effect from the 1st September 2013, the Department for Education changed the legislation about children's absence from school. The legislation makes it clear that more affordable holidays are not exceptional circumstances.

Head Teachers have the discretion to authorise holiday during term-time in exceptional circumstances. The school's Attendance Policy makes clear that the requirement for exceptional circumstances means that the vast majority of requests will be refused and, if the holiday is taken anyway, this will constitute unauthorised absence which may result in the issue of a penalty notice to each parent in respect of each absent child.

Parents are requested at all times to contact Mrs Çerikan or the school office to discuss any absence from school.