Here at Our Lady and Saint Benedict Catholic Academy we are eager to encourage good attendance amongst our children. All the evidence shows that children with greater attendance achieve better results. As a school we need to do all we can to ensure that all our children attend school regularly and avoid taking time off school unnecessarily. Across the school we have an extremely well planned and progressive curriculum. Children can only benefit from this if they are in school.

Every week in school we will announce the class with the best weekly attendance in our weekly celebration Assembly. They will be awarded the attendance trophy and they will get to place this into their class for the week. Each class member of the weekly winning class will also receive a sticker.

Each term we will be awarding those children who achieve 100% attendance a certificate, badge and a prize. 

TERM 1 - BRONZE BADGE, CERTIFICATE AND SMALL PRIZE, 

TERM 2 - SILVER BADGE, CERTIFICATE AND SMALL PRIZE, 

TERM 3 - GOLD BADGE, CERTIFICATE AND ATTENDANCE ON TRIP. 

At the end of the Academic year in July 2025 as in previous years all children with 100% attendance throughout the year will get to take part in the 100% reward trip. The school council, will vote on the location for the 100% reward trip and this will be communicated to you in time.

There will also be a special treat day in July 2025 for the class with the best overall attendance throughout the academic year.    We know that children and parents/carers will try their hardest to win these awards and felt it important to be clear as to what will be expected to achieve the awards. Whilst we want children to strive for 100% attendance, we do understand that there are rare occasions when a child cannot be present in school for example if they are unwell that is why to make it fair they can still contribute and take part in attempting to win the class attendance award. The purpose of the attendance awards is to recognise children who have put the greatest amount of time into school. There are of course many other awards that your child can receive throughout the academic year including Star of the week awards, Reading awards, house points and the house point trophy so that all children have the opportunity to receive an award and to have their strengths and talents recognised and celebrated.

As mentioned in the newsletter as parents and carers we want you to be clear around the laws surrounding attendance and that Attendance is mandatory for all pupils of compulsory school age. This means it’s your legal duty as a parent to send your child to school regularly if they are registered at one. As Principal of the school, I must follow the law around attendance and have no option but to follow it. 

I wish to draw your attention to the fact that from August 19th 2024, the Government changed its rules and is increasing fines for children missing school without permission. If a child misses 5 days (10 sessions) without permission, there will be a fine. Unauthorised absences include holidays, being late, and any other absences not approved by the Principals.

As part of the new procedures, the school may carry out a home visit if a child is absent for any reason.  Please do not be upset if we visit your house. We are doing this to check on your child's wellbeing, following Government guidelines.

Please see the poster below and this link for parents which gives more detail Fines for parents for taking children out of school: What you need to know – The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)

Holidays booked during term time will result in a fine.

Please understand that it is not the school or the collegiate that issues the fines; this is done by the Local Authority. The money from these fines goes directly to the Local Authority. Whilst we are reluctant to issue fines, we must follow Government rules and want to support you in building good habits and giving your children the best chance to do well in school.

For more information on attendance from the City of Stoke on Trent please follow this link ;

School Attendance | School Attendance | Stoke-on-Trent

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Mrs Sarah Clowes Principal