Logo Logo Logo Logo Logo
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About St John The Baptist
      • Sustainable SJB
      • Headteacher’s Welcome
      • Our Church
      • Our Mission and Beliefs
      • Community Partners
      • Staff List
      • Current Vacancies
    • School Policy
      • Ofsted Report
      • SIAMS
      • Primary Advantage Policies
      • School Policies
      • Pupil Premium
      • Sports Premium Funding
      • Snow and Bad Weather
      • Results
      • Inclusion & Equalities
      • SEND
    • Governance
      • Our Governors
      • Local Advisory Board
    • Primary Advantage
      • Introduction
      • Our Teaching Schools
      • Our Partnerships
      • Primary Advantage Vacancies
  • News & Events
    • News Archive
    • Calendar
    • Newsletters
    • Term Dates
    • Letters Home
  • Curriculum
    • Teaching & Learning
      • Assessment Overview
      • Online Apps and Websites
      • Marking & Feedback
      • Teaching, Learning & Assessment Policy
    • Phases
      • EYFS
      • Key Stage 1 & 2
    • Subjects
      • Art & Design Technology
      • Computing
      • English: Reading & Phonics
      • English: Writing
      • History and Geography
      • Mathematics
    • Subjects
      • Modern Foreign Languages
      • Music
      • Physical Education
      • Religious Education
      • Science
  • Children
    • Year Groups
      • EYFS Nursery
      • EYFS Reception
      • Year 1
      • Year 2
      • Year 3
      • Year 4
      • Year 5
      • Year 6
    • Pupil Voice
      • School Council
      • Digital Leaders
      • RRS Team
      • SJB Disciples
      • Eco Warriors
      • Prefects
  • Parents
    • Admissions
      • Nursery Admissions
      • School Admissions
      • Secondary School Application
    • Parent Information
      • Marvellous Me
      • Attendance & Punctuality
      • Parent Volunteers
      • Behaviour
      • The School Day
      • School Uniform
      • Family Events
    • Parent Information
      • Star Of The Week
      • Homework
      • Online Safety
      • Wellbeing
      • School Meals
      • Online Payments
      • School Streets
      • Parent Information
      • FAQs
    • Extended School
      • Parent Workshops
      • Play Centre
      • Local Links
      • Breakfast Club & After School Care
      • Holiday Clubs
      • Memories of SJB
  • Contact
  • Safeguarding
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About St John The Baptist
      • Sustainable SJB
      • Headteacher’s Welcome
      • Our Church
      • Our Mission and Beliefs
      • Community Partners
      • Staff List
      • Current Vacancies
    • School Policy
      • Ofsted Report
      • SIAMS
      • Primary Advantage Policies
      • School Policies
      • Pupil Premium
      • Sports Premium Funding
      • Snow and Bad Weather
      • Results
      • Inclusion & Equalities
      • SEND
    • Governance
      • Our Governors
      • Local Advisory Board
    • Primary Advantage
      • Introduction
      • Our Teaching Schools
      • Our Partnerships
      • Primary Advantage Vacancies
  • News & Events
    • News Archive
    • Calendar
    • Newsletters
    • Term Dates
    • Letters Home
  • Curriculum
    • Teaching & Learning
      • Assessment Overview
      • Online Apps and Websites
      • Marking & Feedback
      • Teaching, Learning & Assessment Policy
    • Phases
      • EYFS
      • Key Stage 1 & 2
    • Subjects
      • Art & Design Technology
      • Computing
      • English: Reading & Phonics
      • English: Writing
      • History and Geography
      • Mathematics
    • Subjects
      • Modern Foreign Languages
      • Music
      • Physical Education
      • Religious Education
      • Science
  • Children
    • Year Groups
      • EYFS Nursery
      • EYFS Reception
      • Year 1
      • Year 2
      • Year 3
      • Year 4
      • Year 5
      • Year 6
    • Pupil Voice
      • School Council
      • Digital Leaders
      • RRS Team
      • SJB Disciples
      • Eco Warriors
      • Prefects
  • Parents
    • Admissions
      • Nursery Admissions
      • School Admissions
      • Secondary School Application
    • Parent Information
      • Marvellous Me
      • Attendance & Punctuality
      • Parent Volunteers
      • Behaviour
      • The School Day
      • School Uniform
      • Family Events
    • Parent Information
      • Star Of The Week
      • Homework
      • Online Safety
      • Wellbeing
      • School Meals
      • Online Payments
      • School Streets
      • Parent Information
      • FAQs
    • Extended School
      • Parent Workshops
      • Play Centre
      • Local Links
      • Breakfast Club & After School Care
      • Holiday Clubs
      • Memories of SJB
  • Contact
  • Safeguarding

Attendance & Punctuality

Attendance & Punctuality

Home > Parents  > Parent Information > Attendance & Punctuality

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind.

Why it’s important

We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day.

If students miss school regularly, they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in the later years of school.

There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes. However, Hackney Learning Trust has a target of 96.8% which is in line with Government expectations.

Each missed day is associated with progressively lower achievement in numeracy, writing and reading. Having an attendance of 90% in 1 school year equates to 4 whole weeks of lessons missed. Over 4 years, this means nearly half a year of lessons missed. Research suggests that 17 missed school days a year can mean one GCSE grade drop (DfES). Greater attendance = greater achievement.

Getting in early

Attendance patterns are established early – a child regularly missing days in Nursery or Reception will often continue to miss classes in the later years, and receive lower test scores than their classmates. It’s vital that students go to school every day – even in the early years of primary school.

What you can do

The main reasons for absence are:

  • Sickness – There are always times when students need to miss school, such as when they’re ill. It’s vital that they’re only away on the days they are genuinely sick, and setting good sleep patterns, eating well and exercising regularly can make a big difference. If your child is genuinely sick, you must call the school (on 0207 739 4902) before 8:30 am and inform them of your child’s absence.
  • Planned Holidays – Children have 13 weeks holiday. Children attend school 191 days a year, this leaves 174 non-school days free for travel. It’s vital that holidays are planned during school holidays and not during the term.

Time lost by pupils due to family holidays taken in term time is disruptive to their education. Taking holidays during term time should be avoided as it can have a serious effect on your child’s educational progress, and can create difficulties for them on their return to school, particularly if they are joining a new school or class.

As such, St John the Baptist Primary School does not support parents who take holidays during term time. However, if you feel it is unavoidable that your child may miss school for absence other than illness, please come to the office to complete a form which will then be given to the Headteacher. The request will be given due consideration but holidays taken during term time will not be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances.

 “One day won’t matter” – Think twice before letting your child have a “day off” as they could fall behind their classmates – every day counts.

If for any reason your child must miss school, there are things you can do with your school to ensure they don’t fall behind:

  • Speak with your class teacher and find out what work your child needs to do to keep up. We are very happy to send work home!
  • Speak with Joy, our attendance officer, as the school may be able to help to ensure your child is in school daily

Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, phone the school office as early as possible.

Openly communicating with your child’s school about all absences is a good way to prevent attendance issues being escalated to a School Attendance Officer. A School Attendance Officer works for Hackney Learning Trust who has authority to follow up attendance issues. Attendance issues that are escalated can lead to a fine and even court appearances. If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let the school know so we can work together to get your child to school every day.

Related Pages
  • Marvellous Me
  • Attendance & Punctuality
  • Parent Volunteers
  • Behaviour
  • The School Day
  • School Uniform
  • Homework
  • Family Events
  • Learning at Home
  • Online Payments
  • School Meals
  • School Streets
  • Online Safety
  • Parent Information
  • Star Of The Week
  • Wellbeing
  • FAQs
  • Latest News
    Year 1 Tour London
    Oak and Palm Tree Class have been learning about London’s landmarks and went on a bus tour to see them on Tuesday. They took the 141 bus and got to...
  • Latest News
    Year 6 Receive their Blazers
    Year 6 were presented with their blazers this morning during our celebration assembly. Their parents and families were invited to see them receive the blazers, which are a gift from...
  • Latest News
    Bonfire Night Safety
    Bonfire Night will be on Tuesday 5th November this year. It can be one of the most exciting nights of the year for all the family. It is a chance to watch...
  • Latest News
    Parent Governor Re-elections
    Last half-term, all families were sent out Parent Governor Nomination letters to put forward names for a parent governor for the Primary Advantage Federation. Families were then sent out ballot...
  • Latest News
    School Closure - Letter for Easter Holidays
    Wednesday 8th April 2020 Dear Parents and Carers, Well done and congratulations on making it through the first couple of weeks of schools not being open as usual. It's been a learning...
  • Latest News
    Instagram
    SJB is now on Instagram!  Whilst school is now closed to most children, the staff love sharing ideas to keep children engaged and entertained.  Click here to see the full...
  • Latest News
    Update for Parents: Possible Phased Return
    Update Letter for Parents re: Possible Phased Return
  • Latest News
    Update for Parents of Possible Phased Return to School
    Update for Parents of Possible Phased Return to School 29/05/2020
  • Latest News
    Online Safety
    We are aware that whilst schools are still partially closed, children might be spending more time online more than they would normally so we've updated our website to reflect some...
  • Latest News
    Black Lives Matter letter to SJB Community
    BLM Letter for SJB Community
  • Latest News
    500 words: Black Lives Matter
    Take part in our 500 Words: Black Lives Matter Competition. Read all about it here! Open to all ages. Deadline: Friday 3rd July Please submit your entries to office@st-john.hackney.sch.uk Good luck!
  • Latest News
    SJB Summer Camp
    St John the Baptist school have secured funding for 2 weeks of sports sessions for SJB children. This will be at no charge to the families. It will be run by...
Get in touch

St. John The Baptist C of E Primary School
Crondall Street
London
N1 6JG

Tel: 020 7739 4902
Email: office@st-john.hackney.sch.uk

Executive Principal: Sian Davies
Headteacher: Toni Mason

Primary Advantage

The Primary Advantage Federation are a group of 8 schools working together because we believe our schools can gain many benefits from working collaboratively.

Visit Website