Attendance at St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School
At St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School, we are committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to flourish academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Guided by our Catholic values of respect, responsibility, compassion, perseverance, and service, we believe that excellent attendance is fundamental to every child’s success and wellbeing.
We strive to create a welcoming, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported. Working in partnership with families, we encourage all pupils to attend school regularly and arrive on time so they can fully participate in learning, develop positive relationships, and make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Regular attendance helps children to:
- Achieve their full academic potential.
- Build confidence, resilience, and independence.
- Develop strong friendships and social skills.
- Participate in school trips, celebrations, liturgies, and enrichment activities.
- Experience a sense of belonging within our school community.
Children who miss school frequently may find it more difficult to keep up with learning, maintain friendships, and feel fully involved in school life. We therefore encourage all families to prioritise attendance and work closely with us if difficulties arise.
Who to Contact
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance, punctuality, or wellbeing, please contact the school office. Our attendance team is available to offer support, guidance, and practical solutions to help overcome any barriers to attendance.
School Office: Tel: 0115 9150296
Email: admin@st-margaretclitherow.nottingham.sch.uk
Late Arrivals
School gates open at 8.40am and close at 8.50am.
School starts at 8.45am.
If a child arrives after the side gate is closed, they are late. Children arriving after the gates have closed should enter through the main reception and be signed in.
Registers close in line with Department for Education guidance, pupils arriving after the register has closed may receive an unauthorised late mark.
If you are experiencing difficulties getting your child to school on time, please contact us. We understand that families may face challenges and we are committed to working with you to find supportive solutions.
Reporting an Absence
If your child is unable to attend school due to illness or another unavoidable reason, please contact the school office before 9am on the first day of absence.
When reporting an absence, please provide:
- Your child’s full name
- Class
- Reason for absence
Maintaining regular communication helps us ensure your child is safe and enables us to provide appropriate support where needed.
Supporting Attendance
At St Margaret Clitherow, we recognise that attendance difficulties can arise for many reasons. Our approach is always supportive, compassionate, and child-centred.
Where attendance becomes a concern, we will work alongside families to:
- Understand any barriers affecting attendance.
- Offer practical and pastoral support.
- Signpost families to additional services where appropriate.
- Develop individual plans to improve attendance and wellbeing.
In some circumstances, members of the attendance or safeguarding team may arrange a home visit. These visits are intended to offer support, strengthen communication, and ensure the wellbeing of the child and family.
Attendance Matters
Good attendance establishes positive habits for life. It helps children develop responsibility, commitment, resilience, and strong relationships—qualities that reflect our school values and prepare them for future success.
We encourage all families to view our attendance information videos and resources to learn more about how regular attendance supports children’s learning, wellbeing, and personal development.
