Absence

Report a Child Absent

Parents/ Carers should report a child absent as soon as possible on the first day they are away for illness, injury or medical appointment. If they are going to be out of school for a week or more parents/ carers should contact us again at the start of the second week.

Any unreported absences will be marked as unauthorised in the register.

For periods of planned absence or leave for other events please follow the link to:

Request a Planned Leave of Absence Form

The school can be contacted by:

Email - office@st-augustines.norfolk.sch.uk
Telephone - 01603 743317

Role Name Contact details
Senior Attendance Lead Gill Harrowven 01603 743317
Attendance Officer / Admin Larraine Russell 01603 743317
Named Governor for Attendance Joseph Zammit 01603 743317

2022 Attendance Policy Quick Guide for Parents

Requesting an Absence  in Term Time

All parents/carers must complete a form at least TWO WEEKS before taking any planned leave during term time.

St. Augustine’s is open for 190 days each year.

10 days schooling makes a big difference to your child. It affects their ability to succeed and the opportunity for them to make friends.

If you have 10 days out of school this will mean your child has only 180 days at school this year. They can only achieve 94.74% attendance which is below the average attendance for a child at this school. Add another 5 days off sick and this will drop to 92.11%.

Amendments to the 2006 regulations remove references to family holiday and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days. The amendments make clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.

Current Government guidance states:

‘ Any pupil who has an attendance of 85% or less with at least 15 % (4.5 days) unauthorised absence over a 6 week period or 9 consecutive sessions (4.5 days) unauthorised absence will meet the criteria for legal intervention which could be in the form of a Fixed Penalty Notice. If a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued it is a fine of £60 per parent per child which must be paid in one payment in 21 days, if unpaid a further invoice for £60 per parent per child is issued, both individual invoices would then have to be paid making a total payment of £120 in 28 days. Failure to pay the total amount within the time scale will result in legal action being taken.'

Department of Education guidance for September 2013

The Head of School will consider your request for leave of absence following government guidelines and considering these points:

  • The child’s previous attendance history
  • The child’s stage of education.
  • The time of year (SATS exams or the beginning of the school year)

Is my child too ill for school

Download a form to request a leave of absence in term time

School Attendance Policy

DfE Guidance on Attendance

Norfolk County Council Guidance on Fixed Penalty Notices

St. Augustine's Catholic Primary School
19 West End, Old Costessey, Norwich NR8 5AG

TEL: 01603 743317

FAX: 01603 743833

EMAIL: office@st-augustines.norfolk.sch.uk