Research shows that pupils who attend school regularly are more likely to:

1. Achieve their full academic potential: Pupils with attendance above 95% are twice as likely to achieve a grade 5 or higher in English and Maths compared to those attending only 90% of the time.

2. Keep up with their learning: Regular attendance ensures lessons build on each other, making new topics easier to understand.

3. Stay motivated and engaged: Consistency in school helps pupils develop positive learning habits.

4. Build stronger friendships: Regular interaction with their peers supports social development and mental well-being.

5. Take part in wider opportunities: From sports teams and school productions to trips and clubs, consistent attendance makes it easier to get involved.

Most importantly, your child will feel more connected, confident, and able to enjoy being part of the school community.

The table below shows how a pupil’s attendance directly relates to the amount of time missed in school - and highlights the significant impact this has on the number of lessons lost.

At our school, we understand that some students may experience barriers that affect their attendance. We are committed to working closely with families to identify these barriers and provide appropriate support wherever possible. If your child is experiencing difficulties attending school, please contact their Form Tutor and Head of Year in the first instance.

Our Pastoral team works extensively with students and families to improve attendance and re-engage students with school. Support may include meetings in school or at home, attendance support plans, attendance contracts, personalised reintegration timetables, involvement from our SEND Team, and referrals to external agencies and support services where appropriate. We recognise that every child and family is different and will work collaboratively to identify the most effective support package.

For families whose child is experiencing worries or anxiety about attending school, the leaflet below may provide helpful advice, guidance and practical strategies to support regular attendance.

Absences must be reported on the first day and on each subsequent day of absence.

Absence should be reported via email: 

absence@gfcs.uk

In emergency circumstances, parents may contact our Attendance Officer on the morning of the absence on:

01865 749933 Option 1

If there is no answer, please do leave a voicemail message.

Appointments should, whenever possible, be made outside of school hours.

If this is not possible, please notify the Attendance Officer, Ms Bigg via: absence@gfcs.uk  providing evidence. This can be provided in the form of an appointment letter copy or a screenshot of a text reminder from the dentist or hospital. 

Greyfriars Catholic School expects pupils to attend regularly (100% attendance) and punctually i.e. arriving by 8.40am. 

If students arrive later than 8.40am, they will need to go to main reception and sign in.  

From this point, students are classified as ‘late’ and will incur a consequence.  A consequence results in a 40-minute after school detention the following day.

Please ensure holidays are not taken during term time.

The current law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time. The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 prohibits a Headteacher granting leave of absence to a pupil, except where an application has been made in advance, and the Headteacher considers that there are ‘exceptional circumstances’ relating to the application.   

Exceptional Circumstances It is at the school’s discretion to decide which circumstances are ‘exceptional’. Examples of circumstances that are not exceptional may include: 

• Cheap holidays/flights or holidays/flights that have already been paid for.

• Relatives visiting or visiting relatives.

• Absence that coincides with important school events such as the start of term or exams. 

As a general guideline, exceptional absence circumstances usually apply only to immediate family. Requests for leave related to extended family and friends are likely to be refused.  

To make an application for a term-time absence, please complete the online form below:

Application Form

'Unauthorised absences’ are those which the school does not consider reasonable and for which no ‘leave’ has been given. Although not an exhaustive list, such examples include:

• Parents keeping children off school unnecessarily.

• Truancy during the school day.

• Absences which have never been properly explained e.g. a message from another parent or child cannot be used to authorise absence.

• Children who arrive late to school.

• Term time holidays.

• Absence which is not supported by medical evidence when requested by the school.

Please note that unauthorised absences will influence whether pupils are eligible to attend school trips. In short, if a pupil’s attendance falls below the school’s target (and is not supported by medical evidence) they may not be eligible to attend school trips (excluding those required by the curriculum).

Under existing legislation, parents commit an offence if their child fails to attend regularly, and the absences are classed as ‘unauthorised’ (those for which the school cannot or has not given permission). Depending on circumstances, such cases may result in prosecution.

A Penalty Notice is an alternative to prosecution which does not require an appearance in court, whilst still securing an improvement in a pupil’s attendance. Payment of a Penalty Notice enables parents to discharge potential liability for conviction for the period of absence included in the Penalty Notice.

Penalty Notices are issued for:

• Unauthorised absence.

• Holidays in term time without permission.

• Excluded pupils found in a public place during the first 5 days of exclusion.

Penalty Notices start at £80 per child, increasing to £160 if not paid within 21 days.  If a second notice is issued within a three-year period, the fine increases to £160.  Prosecution for a third offence may lead to prosecution and being summoned to appear at  the Magistrates Court, with fines up to £1,000 per person.