St Cuthbert's

With effect from 19th August 2024 a new national framework was introduced with regard to children being absent from school. The reforms are part of the government’s plan to improve attendance throughout the country.

There are only a few circumstances where a child is allowed to miss school and be marked as having an authorised absence, these are illness, a medical appointment or where school has granted permission for an absence due to an exceptional circumstance.

Under the new framework a child who has a total of 10 or more am/pm sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence, within a ten-week period, will be considered for a fine by the Local Authority. Costs of fines have increased to £80 if paid within 21 days and £160 if paid within 28 days.

While we do not want to deprive hardworking families of a holiday we are not permitted to authorise absence from school during term time – especially for 5 days (10 sessions) or more.

The Arbor Parent Portal displays your child’s % attendance so that you can monitor this as the term progresses, attendance is also monitored in school. As always, we will continue to work as a team, to support all our pupils to achieve good attendance.

All requests for leave of absence must be submitted using the form available from the School Office. The exceptional circumstances for the request must be indicated and supporting evidence provided where available.

Please contact the school if you wish to discuss this with the Headteacher.

How to report an absence

If your child is ill, or absent from school for any reason, please email stcc@stcc.bwcet.com providing your child’s name, class and reason, or telephone the school (0191 388 2305) no later than 9:15am on the first day of absence and keep the school informed.

Please refer to guidance from Public Health England for isolation periods. School Exclusion Table Isolation Periods

With cases of diarrhoea and vomiting, absence is essential whilst symptomatic and for 48 hours after the last symptoms, or until they are well enough to return.