Attendance
Attendance and Punctuality
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that excellent attendance gives every child the best possible chance to succeed. Being in school every day helps children make strong progress, build confidence and enjoy positive relationships with their peers. We work closely with families to support good attendance and punctuality, and we are grateful for the partnership we share with parents.
Below you will find our expectations and statutory guidance regarding attendance, punctuality and term‑time leave.
Term‑Time Leave of Absence
By law, maintained schools cannot authorise leave during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Any absence, including holidays, has a direct impact on a child’s learning and progress.
If you are considering requesting leave that involves travel or accommodation, approval must be obtained from the headteacher before making any bookings. Parents should provide all relevant information at the point of application if they believe the circumstances are exceptional.
You can read more about what constitutes exceptional circumstances in the Department for Education guidance.
Penalty Notice Changes (from 19 August 2024)
New national arrangements for Penalty Notices came into force on 19 August 2024. These changes affect both the cost of a Penalty Notice and the thresholds at which schools must consider requesting one.
Key points are:
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Penalty Notice charges are now £160 per parent, per child (reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days).
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A second Penalty Notice for the same parent and child within a rolling 3‑year period is charged at £160 with no discounted rate.
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Schools must consider a Penalty Notice when a child reaches 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10‑school‑week period. This includes lateness after the register has closed.
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A maximum of two Penalty Notices may be issued per parent, per child, within a 3‑year period. Further offences may lead to other legal interventions, including prosecution.
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For absences other than unauthorised holidays, including persistent lateness, the Local Authority may issue a Notice to Improve, giving parents a final opportunity to engage with support before a Penalty Notice is issued.
Further information, including the full Code of Conduct and FAQs, can be found on the Lancashire County Council Education Penalty Notice webpage.
Why Attendance Matters
The more school a child misses, the harder it becomes for them to keep up with learning. Even a small number of absences can lead to gaps in understanding, reduced confidence and increased anxiety about returning to class.
Being in school every day ensures that children:
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Build secure knowledge and skills
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Maintain strong friendships
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Develop positive learning habits
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Feel confident and settled in their routines
A child’s best chance of success comes from being in the classroom, learning alongside their peers.