School attendance is compulsory for all pupils of statutory school age. If your child is absent from school please email the school office to let us know the reason for their absence. We work with many families to support their child’s attendance at school, if you are anxious about any issues around attendance we will be happy to work with you to support your child’s school attendance.

Our school has historically high attendance figures and these are testament to our engaging curriculum, which encourages pupils to come to school every single day, as well as the strong pastoral support we provide for pupils with particular medical needs through our highly professional and competent medical team. We are particularly proud of our attendance figures for Reception pupils – which shows an excitement in coming to school from the very first year. Our figures for persistent absentees (pupils classed by the Department for Education as those absent for 10% or more of their own possible sessions) have increased since the covid pandemic and we have a range of strategies to work with individual pupils and their parents to support improved attendance. 

In July 2025, one Year 6 pupil was presented with an outstanding achievement award for 100% attendance for her entire primary education from Reception to Year 6 and not a single day off for illness or authorised absence! A further two pupils were celebrated for having 99.9% attendance for their primary education and 16 Year 6 pupils had over 99% attendance – quite a remarkable achievement for them all! 

Attendance

Pupils who achieve 100% attendance at the end of each term are awarded badges which may be worn on blazers or jumpers.  An exceptional attendance award for 100% attendance for the entire academic year is celebrated at our end of year prize giving service. 

Exceptional Leave of Absence During Term Time

Holidays during term time are not permitted. There are 175 days per year when pupils are scheduled holidays for such purposes.

Exceptional leave will be considered by the headteacher for absence which genuinely demonstrates exceptional circumstances (such as a bereavement).  The school’s pro-forma must be used for exceptional leave or via an email to the admin team: admin@cts-school.org

The Governing Body permits the headteacher to authorise an exceptional absence, at her discretion, if the following conditions are met:

• there is at least 96% attendance in the current and previous academic year
• the request represents a genuinely exceptional circumstance, and is a one-off request
• any previous leave and historic attendance figures are taken into consideration
• leave is almost never permitted in the week before or after a holiday such as half term or Christmas
• the headteacher may not authorise requests where the reasons provided include reasons such as cheaper flights

Please note that:

• Holidays in term time disrupt your child’s education
• Ten days absence per year is equivalent to 5.3% of your child’s education in that year
• Children who have been granted authorised absence who do not return on time on the day agreed after any authorised absence can be removed from the school roll in line with the relevant legislation
• Medical Appointments, Musical Examinations and similar or visits to local secondary schools in years 5 or 6 are always authorised – some are classified as educated off site which does not affect your child’s attendance record