Attendance and Punctuality
Authorised absence from school
Under the Education Act (1996), parents and carers are required to ensure their child attends school regularly.
At St Matthew's Primary School, we realise that for a child to reach their full educational potential, a high level of school attendance is essential. An ethos of high levels of attendance and punctuality is recognised and valued across our whole school community.
Please be aware that holidays during term time will not be authorised.
If you need to request leave due to exceptional circumstances, please complete the form below and submit it to the school office.
Unauthorised absences may be referred to the Local Authority Attendance Officer, which could lead to prosecution or a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Illness related Absence
Parents and carers must inform the school of their child's absence each day of illness.
If your child is unwell, please notify the school by emailing office@stmatthews.cambs.sch.uk or calling the school absence line at 01223 568838 by 9am.
Failure to notify the school will result in the absence being marked as unauthorised.
Is my child too ill for school?
We understand that people are, at times, unwell. As parents/carers, it falls to you to decide if your child is too ill to attend school. It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school when they're unwell. Please click on the links below to see which conditions you should keep your child off school for.
It is often the case that children cope well with low-level illness when they are in school, surrounded by friends and kept busy with learning.