School attendance in September 2020 will be compulsory for all pupils and we shall resume our usual routines for reporting pupil absence. If your child is absent from school please email the school office of let us know the reason for their absence. If you are anxious about your child returning to school we will be happy to work with you to support your child’s return.

The Government have recently announced (August 2020) guidance on how schools should record non-attendance due to coronavirus (COVID-19) in the attendance register for the 2020-2021 academic year. Although school attendance is mandatory from the start of the Autumn Term, there may be circumstances where pupils cannot attend school due to coronavirus such as if they are required to self-isolate. This new category will not count as an absence. 

Examples in which ‘not attending in circumstances related to coronavirus’ could apply:

• Pupils who are required to self-isolate as they, or a member of their household, has symptoms or confirmed coronavirus
• Pupils who are required to self-isolate because they are a close contact of someone who has symptoms or confirmed coronavirus
• Pupils who are required by legislation to self-isolate as part of a period of quarantine
• Pupils who are clinically extremely vulnerable in a future local lockdown scenario only

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 – 96% for 2018/19 – 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 reduced steadily over the last 3 years as a result of school support for particular pupils and their families. 

In July 2020, four Year 6 pupils were presented with outstanding achievement awards for 100% attendance for their entire primary education from Reception to Year 6. Despite the global pandemic these children were back at school as soon as we re-opened for the Year 6 cohort and had not had one day off or one late mark in their seven years at Christ the Saviour- quite an achievement! 

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 and can be submitted here (link to absence) 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 97% 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