School Attendance Team

Mrs Atherton – Headteacher
Mrs Quinn – Attendance Lead

Attendance policy

How we support our families

We value and recognise the importance of good attendance and have systems and processes in place to make sure attendance in managed effectively for all children. We regularly analyse attendance data to identify pupils who have consistently high attendance, those who have shown improvements in their attendance and to identify pupils who may be vulnerable. We will provide support for those who may have lower rates of attendance and again I ask that you work with school if you have any issues with your child being able to attend school regularly. We are always here to support.

Attendance & Absence Notification Procedures

At St Hugh of Lincoln, we place great importance on attendance. Regular and punctual attendance is key to our pupils’ learning, wellbeing, and safeguarding.

1. Reporting Unplanned Absence

Parents/carers must notify the school by 9:00 am on the first day of absence, or as soon as reasonably possible.
Contact via:
- Telephone: 0161 912 2906
- Email: sthughoflincoln.admin@trafford.gov.uk
- Speak directly to the school office or attendance officer.
When reporting, please provide your child’s name, class, reason for absence, and expected return date.

2. Illness-Related Absences

Absences due to physical or mental illness are authorised unless there is genuine concern regarding their authenticity.
If required, parents may be asked to provide medical evidence (e.g., doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card), but only when necessary.
If evidence is insufficient, the absence may be unauthorised—with prior notification to parents.
These practices reflect your school’s local policy and the DfE’s latest statutory guidance on medical absences and evidence requirements.

3. Medical or Dental Appointments

Appointments ought to be arranged outside school hours where possible.
If unavoidable, please notify the school before the appointment, and provide appointment confirmation.
Pupils should miss only the minimum time necessary.
These arrangements align with your current policy and national expectations

4. Planned Term-Time Absence

All other types of absence (e.g., family events) require a Leave of Absence form submitted well in advance and are subject to headteacher approval.
Approval will only be granted for exceptional circumstances in line with statutory regulation

5. Recording Attendance & Lateness

Attendance is recorded electronically with national codes in SIMS or the school’s MIS system.
Registers open at 8:45 am, close at 9:30 am; afternoon registers are taken after lunch
Pupils arriving after the register closes are marked as absent. Consistent lateness may trigger a letter of concern and attendance monitoring.

6. Follow-Up on Unexplained Absence

If a pupil is absent without reason, the school will:
- Call a parent/carer on the first day to establish the reason. If unreachable, escalate via emergency contacts or, if necessary, external agencies.
- Record the correct attendance code within five working days.
- Call daily for any continuing unexplained absence.
- Offer support or refer to external agencies (e.g., educational welfare) if needed.

If attendance doesn’t improve, the school may issue an Attendance Contract, Notice to Improve, or Penalty Notice, in line with DfE guidance