Attendance at St Matthias
Regular attendance is essential to every child’s success. At St Matthias, we prioritise high attendance because it underpins strong academic outcomes, wellbeing and life opportunities.
Children who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve well, build strong friendships and develop the confidence, resilience and social skills needed for the future.
Why Attendance Matters
Attending school every day supports children to:
- Build secure friendships and social confidence
- Develop teamwork and communication skills
- Maintain positive mental health and wellbeing
- Gain essential knowledge and life skills
- Broaden their understanding of the world
Even small amounts of absence can have a significant impact. For example, 90% attendance equates to nearly four weeks of missed learning across a year.
Our expectation is that all pupils achieve at least 95% attendance, with a school target of 96.5%.
Our Approach
We take a proactive and supportive approach to attendance:
- Attendance is monitored daily and reviewed regularly
- Families are informed quickly if attendance falls below expectations
- We work in partnership with parents to remove barriers
- Support is offered early to ensure every child can attend regularly
We promote a culture of “every day matters”, where attendance is valued and celebrated.
Reporting Absence
If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, you must inform the school by 9:00am on each day of absence:
📞 020 7254 1148
📧 admin@st-matthias.hackney.sch.uk
If we are not informed, the absence may be recorded as unauthorised.
For longer or frequent absences, the school may request medical evidence (e.g. appointment card or prescription).
Children with mild illnesses such as coughs or colds should still attend school where possible.
Medical Appointments
Where possible, appointments should be arranged:
- After school
- At weekends
- During school holidays
If an appointment during school time is unavoidable:
- Inform the school in advance
- Provide evidence of the appointment
- Ensure your child attends school before/after where possible
Punctuality
Being on time is an important part of good attendance.
- The school day begins at 8:45am
- Late arrival disrupts learning and is recorded
- Persistent lateness will be followed up with families
We support families to establish strong routines so children start the day ready to learn.
Term-Time Holidays
Term-time holidays are strongly discouraged and absence for holidays will be recorded as unauthorised in line with national guidance.
Working in Partnership
Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly. At St Matthias, we work closely with families to support this by:
- Promoting positive routines
- Addressing concerns early
- Providing guidance and support where needed
Together, we ensure that every child attends school ready, every day, so they can thrive both now and in the future.