Our mission is to provide an outstanding Catholic education, and regular attendance is essential, not just for academic success, but also for building social connections and personal growth.

Below is a reminder of what to do should you need to report your child absent from school.

Reporting same-day absences via the Arbor App:-
All same-day absences should be reported directly through the Arbor Parent App. This new feature is a quick and easy way to notify us of absences. It also means our records are up-to-date in real time. Please make sure all absences are reported by 9:00am, with full details of the absence/ illness, ie. It is not enough to simply say unwell.

To report an absence on Arbor:

1. Log onto the Parent Portal in Arbor
2. Select Attendance under Quick Actions
3. If you are using a mobile device press the “three lines at the bottom left of the screen
4. Select Log Absence
5. Complete the absence time (only for that day) and the reason for absence
6. Press Log Absence

More detailed guidance can be found here: Report a daily absence

Planned Absences
Holidays during term time are not authorised and may result in a penalty notice.

If you need to request a planned absence, please complete this Leave of Absence Form. This will be reviewed by the Headteacher, Mrs Martin.

Please provide at least three weeks’ notice.

Penalty Notices
If your child has 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10 school–week period, it could result in a fine.

(£160 per parent per child, if paid within 28 days, reduced to £80, if paid within 21 days, unpaid notices may lead to a Magistrates’ Court summons).

Doctors/dentist appointments
We strongly encourage non-essential medical and dental appointments to be scheduled outside school hours or during holidays. If an appointment during school hours is unavoidable, please email: absence@stannes-chertsey.surrey.sch.uk with a copy of the appointment letter. 

Absence surrounding School Holidays, Inset/School Closure Days
Please be advised that we will not be able to authorise absences on either side of school holidays, Inset Days/School closure days, without appropriate supporting medical evidence.

If you are unwell on these dates, please ensure you provide a valid medical certificate or documentation to support your absence.

Please do not email teachers directly about absences or email the school office; only the above process will be considered an official notification of absence. Failure to notify us of absences will be dealt with as per Xavier first day response process to safeguard the children.

It is most important that your child is on time for school. When a child is late it is disruptive not only for him/her but also for all the other children in the class. No child likes to be late, so please do make the effort to ensure he/she is on time.

Late arrivals are recorded in a book which also ensures the school is aware of the child’s presence. In the morning, registers are taken at 8.50am and any child arriving between then and 9.05am will be marked as late (L). Registers close at 9.05am and any child arriving after this will be marked in as unauthorised absence (U).

No child may be granted leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances which will be determined by the Headteacher and the Governing Body.

Unauthorised leave of absence in term time (5 days/10 sessions or more within a three-month period – this need not be consecutive) without the authorisation of the school will be referred to the Inclusion Officer (formerly known as EWO - Educational Welfare Officer) and may result in a Penalty Notice being issued. (Details in the school’s Attendance Policy).

Every child’s punctuality and attendance is monitored. Cause for concern letters will be issued where necessary and these letters will remain on the child’s file. The school also receives a visit from the Inclusion Officer every term and refers any significant causes for concern. Failure to comply with the planned support set by the Inclusion Officer may result in further actions.

Leave of Absence Form