Latest Newsletter

 

Newsletter 2 – 7^th September 2026

 

Knowledge begins with respect for God (Proverbs 1:7)

 

This half-term’s value is ‘Thankfulness’ (Colossians 2:7)

 

 

Attendance: important information

Poor attendance can have a serious impact on children’s learning and progress. Any child with poor attendance is at a real disadvantage and it can take a very long time to make up this lost learning time – some children’s learning never fully recovers which can have serious consequences on their future life chances. For children to make the best possible progress, it is vital that their attendance is the best it can possibly be. I would like to remind you of the following:

 

• Parents/carers do not have a legal right to take their child out of school for holidays in term time. Schools are expected to refuse requests for absence during term time unless there are explicit exceptional circumstances.
• Requests for extended leave to attend family weddings or to see ill relatives are not deemed to be exceptional circumstances. The availability of cheap flights or holidays is also not deemed to be an exceptional circumstance.

 

Our school attendance policy has clear thresholds for different actions to take place – see below. We provide parents with information regarding their child’s attendance at the end of each term.

 

 

Attendance: important information

Poor attendance can have a serious impact on children’s learning and progress. Any child with poor attendance is at a real disadvantage and it can take a very long time to make up this lost learning time – some children’s learning never fully recovers which can have serious consequences on their future life chances. For children to make the best possible progress, it is vital that their attendance is the best it can possibly be. I would like to remind you of the following:

 

• Parents/carers do not have a legal right to take their child out of school for holidays in term time. Schools are expected to refuse requests for absence during term time unless there are explicit exceptional circumstances.
• Requests for extended leave to attend family weddings or to see ill relatives are not deemed to be exceptional circumstances. The availability of cheap flights or holidays is also not deemed to be an exceptional circumstance.

 

Our school attendance policy has clear thresholds for different actions to take place – see below. We provide parents with information regarding their child’s attendance at the end of each term.

Stage Trigger Actions to be taken 1 3 days of absence (6 sessions) Text message issued. Parents/carers invited to discuss any concerns if they wish to do so. 2 4 days of absence (8 sessions) Attendance concern letter sent home to parents/carers 3 6 days of absence (12 sessions) Parents requested to attend a meeting in school to discuss attendance with the Headteacher 4 10 days of absence (20 sessions) Parents requested to attend a further meeting with the Headteacher to discuss the creation of a parenting contract with the school and Local Authority. 5 15 days of absence (30 sessions) Parenting contract has been breached and attendance has not improved. Any of the thresholds for legal action have been met     School will refer the case to the Local Authority. The Local Authority will utilise appropriate legal powers to enforce attendance. This could include Fixed Penalty Notices, charged at £160 per parent if paid within 28 days. This is reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.
Winning Team Party During the afternoon of this Friday, 11th September, children in Team Attenborough will enjoy their winning team party from last term. They will be able to come to school dressed in non-uniform on that day.
Online Safety This month’s online safety newsletter is attached to this newsletter – see below. It’s also available on our school website (www.stmatthewsblackburn.com) on the green ‘Parents’ tab, under ‘online safety’.
Best wishes Julian Rogers Headteacher

 

 

 

 

Best wishes