Attendance

Maintaining high levels of attendance at school is vital to help all children reach their full potential. It is the role of the school and parents/carers to ensure that children in their care achieve the maximum possible attendance and Saint Bede’s Catholic High School encourages every child to strive for 100% attendance.

Poor attendance is a recognised barrier to achievement and as such Saint Bede’s Catholic High School will monitor and check attendance regularly. Pupils identified as experiencing difficulties with attendance will be supported to overcome barriers to their education with a cohesive approach from school and home.

Parents and carers should be aware that school defines a regular attendance as at least 96% of the school year. Whilst 90% attendance appears to be a high figure this works out as a child missing 95 hours of education in an academic school year and will leave them vulnerable to falling behind.

It is the responsibility of parents and carers to contact school on the morning of the first day their child is absent. This is a safeguarding requirement so that all parties know that a child is safe and their whereabouts are known.

Parents and carers can track their child’s attendance by logging into the Synergy Parent App. Your child’s Head of Year will be able to provide you with a login code that links to your child’s account. 

For help with accessing or understanding this system, please contact remotesupport@stbedeslytham.lancs.sch.uk 

 

Report My Child Absent

If you need to report your child absent from school due to illness or another unforeseen circumstance, please complete the form via the link below by 8.30am on the day of absence.

Report My Child Absent – Please Click Here

Please complete the form for each day your child is absent. Should you need to report the absence of more than one child, please complete the form separately for each child.

We understand that it can be difficult for parents and carers to decide whether or not their child is too ill to attend school. The NHS has produced some helpful guidance to support you in making this judgement. Before reporting your child absent, please read this guidance via the link below to ensure it is necessary for your child to remain at home.

NHS Guidance – Is my child too ill for school?

 

Leave of Absence

By law, schools cannot grant any leave during term time other than in exceptional circumstances. Further details are available in our Attendance Policy.

If you would like to request a leave of absence for your child due to an exceptional circumstance, please complete the application form which can be downloaded below. Alternatively, your child may collect a paper copy from the Pastoral Office in the Drake Building. Please ensure your application explains fully why the circumstances are exceptional. Please note that parental work patterns or the cost of holidays during term time cannot be considered exceptional circumstances.

Leave of Absence Form

Completed forms should be returned to attendance@stbedeslytham.lancs.sch.uk, or alternatively can be delivered to the Pastoral Office by your child.

Attendance Policy - For more information on this, please refer to the school policies section on the ‘about us’ tab.