At St Just Primary School, we have high expectations for the attendance of the children on roll. This is because we recognise that all absence is potentially detrimental to a child’s education and experience of primary school. At St Just, good attendance is 96% and above.
Missing school can damage children’s achievements, they will miss out on the opportunities provided by school, which in return may impact on their chances in life.
In order for children to gain maximum benefit from their time at school and to maximise their future life opportunities, it is imperative that the children attend every day and on time.
St Just Primary School has dedicated Attendance and Wellbeing Teams, who are always on hand to answer any queries and support with any barriers to your child's learning.
- Mrs Sarah Hooley
- Mrs Kerra Burlton
- Mr Jon Hall
- Mrs Kerra Burlton
- Miss Sara Downing
- Mr Anthony Matthews
Absences
What is an authorised absence?
There may be some circumstances where the school will authorise absence such as:
- Illness
- Hospital/dental/doctor appointments for the pupil which can’t be made outside school hours
- Major religious observations
- Bereavement
- Visits to prospective new school
- External exams or educational assessments.
What is an unauthorised absence?
These are absences which the school does not consider reasonable and for which “leave” of absence has not been given. Some examples of this type of absence include:
- Shopping/day trip/visit to a theme park
- A birthday treat
- Children who arrive at school too late to get a mark
- Looking after other children/family members
- Medical appointments for other family members
- Truancy
- Parents keeping pupils off school unnecessarily
- Absences that have never been properly explained.
Parents/carers cannot authorise absences and should be aware that either calling the school or providing a note for an absence does not automatically mean it will be authorised.
If your child is further absent from school without authorisation within any 3-year period, you will be committing a further offence under the Education Act 1996. We may submit a request to Cornwall Council for a Penalty Notice to be issued, in accordance with Sections 444A and 444B of the said Act. Penalty Notices for a second offence are issued per liable parent, per child and each carry a fine of £160, payable within 28 days.
Importantly, fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action such as a parenting order or prosecution will be considered.
Failure to pay the Penalty Notice may also result in legal action. If you are prosecuted and attend court because your child has not been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500. Cornwall Council may also apply for the costs incurred in taking the matter to Court, including legal costs.
Absence not authorised by the school may also result in a prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court under Section 444(1) or Section 444(1A) of the Education Act 1996, leading to a fine of up to £2,500 and/or a custodial sentence. Again, Cornwall Council may also apply for the costs incurred in taking the matter to Court, including legal costs.
Money raised from fines is only used by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system, and to fund attendance support. Any extra money is returned to the government.