Attendance

Attendance Matters


At Rossington St Michael’s CE Primary School, we believe every child has the right to a full, high-quality education and attending school every day is key to making that happen. All children have a right to access a full education and attendance in school every day is crucial to their learning.

Why Attendance is Important


Daily attendance is crucial to academic success, emotional wellbeing, and developing lifelong habits. Parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure children attend school regularly, arrive on time, and stay for the full day unless there is a valid reason.

As a school, we have a statutory responsibility to monitor and promote good attendance and follow local authority procedures where concerns arise.

Every school day matters as the below illustrates:

  • 98% attendance = 4 school days missed

  • 95% attendance = 10 school days missed (2 weeks)

  • 90% attendance = 20 school days missed (4 weeks)

  • 85% attendance = 30 school days missed (6 weeks)

  • 80% attendance = 38 school days missed (8 weeks)

  • Five minutes late each day = 3 days missed each year

 

Our Attendance Expectations


We aim for 100% attendance for all pupils. Our minimum expectation is 96%.

Please remember: patterns of lateness and frequent short absences can be just as concerning as overall low attendance.
We work in partnership with Doncaster Local Authority and Early Help services to offer support where attendance is a concern.

Reporting Absence


If your child is unwell and cannot attend school, please contact the school office by 8:45am on the first day of absence.
Call 01302 868284 — You can speak to staff or leave a voicemail.

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll contact you or your emergency contacts. If we’re unable to reach anyone, we may refer to the Doncaster Safeguarding Team, as we must ensure children are safe.


Authorised Absences


We will authorise absence for:

  • Children with a high temperature
  • Sickness and diarrhoea (24 hours after symptoms end)
  • Illness reported by parents (first 2 days – after that, we require medical evidence)
Unauthorised Absences


Absence will not be authorised in the following cases:

  • Holidays during term time (except for very limited exceptional circumstances)
  • Minor illnesses (e.g. sore throat, earache)
  • Illnesses extending beyond 2 days without medical evidence
  • Late arrival after 9:15am without valid reason
  • Conditions such as head lice or conjunctivitis, unless untreated
  • Early collection from school without evidence of a medical appointment or exceptional circumstance

Medical appointments should be scheduled outside of the school day wherever possible.


Stay Informed


Parents can check their child’s attendance anytime using the Arbor App.
If you are not yet signed up, please contact the school office and we’ll be happy to assist.


Need Help?


If you have any concerns or questions about attendance, please speak to a member of staff. We are here to work with you to ensure every child can attend, achieve and thrive.

Please see the documents below for full details of our attendance policy.

Attendance Policy 25-26

Should my child go to school? Online checker

You may also like to visit the following website for further information: https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/schools/promoting-good-attendance