---
title: "Attendance"
url: "https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/our-school/attendance"
school: "St. Bernard's Catholic Primary School & Nursery (part of Mater Ecclesiae Catholic M.A.T.)"
---

# Attendance

## **Attendance**

St Bernard’s is a successful school and every child plays their part in making it so. We aim for an environment which enables and encourages all pupils to achieve their potential and aspire to excellence. For our children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly and every child should be at school, on time, every day the school is open unless they have an unavoidable reason to be absent. Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning.

Government research shows a direct link between attendance and attainment; good attenders also make better progress socially, learn to work together and are better prepared for the transition to High School and eventually Higher education, Training and Employment.

### Attendance

 Attendance Policy 2024/25  254 KB  [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/st-bernards-2/files/documents/Attendance_Policy_2024(2).pdf)

 Info re Penalty Notices  172 KB  [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/st-bernards-2/files/documents/Penalty_Notice__Updates_2024_-_Information_for_Parents.pdf)

 Leave of Absence Form  401 KB  [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/st-bernards-2/files/documents/Leave_of_Absence_Request_2024(2).pdf)

 What does your child's % absence mean?  63 KB  [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/st-bernards-2/files/documents/Absences.pdf)

**Missed days at school add up!**

Every day at school counts. Absences lead to missed learning and create gaps in children’s education that can seriously affect their academic progress and attainment.

**How can you support good attendance in school?**

- Take trips during school holidays rather than term time
- Don’t allow your child to stay off school for a minor ailment
- Arrive at school on time so your child doesn’t get a Late mark
- Ensure your child has a good understanding of why attendance is important
- Figure out the reasons for absence as this can help you understand where your child
- needs support in overcoming barriers to attending school
- Try to establish a good routine early so that when your child does start school, they
- have developed good habits such as getting plenty of sleep
- If appointments are needed for health reasons, try to make them during after school

hours or out of term time where possible

- Offer support with homework and take an interest in their learning
- Attend parents’ evenings to discuss your child’s progress.

**Punctuality**

**Every second Counts**

| **Always on Time for a year** | **No hours missed a year** | **No learning missed a year** |
|---|---|---|
| **5 minutes late each day for a year** | **15 hours missed a year** | **3 days of learning missed a year** |
| **10 minutes late each day for a year** | **32 hours missed a year** | **6.5 days learning missed a year** |
| **20 minutes late each dayfor a year** | **65 hours missed a year** | **13 days learning missed a year** |
| **30 minutes late each day for a year** | **95 hours missed a year** | **19 days learning missed a year** |

**School opens the gates at 8.35 am**

**The register is taken at 8.40 am**

**Arriving after 8.50 am – the close of register is late.**

**Arriving after 9.10 am (close of registration) your child will receive an unauthorised late mark which will affect your child’s attendance.**

| 90% |
|---|

| 16 days missed |
|---|

| 80%-over |
|---|

|  |
|---|
|  |  |

|  |
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### Parents

- [Admissions (inc. In-Year)](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/our-school/admission-arrangements/admissions)
- [Attendance](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/our-school/attendance)
- [Before/After School Club](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/our-school/before-after-school-club)
- [Behaviour & Rewards](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/behaviour-rewards)
- [Calendar](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/calendar)
- [Complaints Procedure](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/complaints)
- [Galleries](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/photo-galleries)
- [Home Learning](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/home-learning)
- [Newsletters](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/parents/our-weekly-news)
- [Our School Day](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/our-school/our-school-day)
- [Our Term Dates](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/termdates)
- [Parent Views](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/parent-views)
- [PTFA](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/parents/ptfa)
- [Report a Concern](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/report-a-concern)
- [Safeguarding (inc. online safety)](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/our-school/safeguarding-statement)
- [School Meals](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/parents/school-meals)
- [SEND & Inclusion](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/our-school/Special-Educational-Needs)
- [Uniform](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/parents/uniform)
- [EYFS](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/)

   ![School Logo](https://www.stbernards.mecmat.org/images/icon/St.Benards-eblem-Colour.png)St. Bernard's Catholic Primary School & Nursery   Victoria Park Avenue, Lea, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 1RP

### About The Trust

Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Trust

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 [Visit Trust Website](https://mecmat.org/)

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   ©  St. Bernard's Catholic Primary School & Nursery. All rights reserved. St. Bernard's Catholic Primary School & Nursery operates as an academy under Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Multi-Academy Trust. Company Limited by Guarantee | Company Registration No: 13882215 | Registered Office: W_rkspace, 3 Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9ZZ, England.

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