Attendance and Punctuality

At Hylton Castle Primary School, we believe that regular attendance and good punctuality are vital for every child’s education and development.

Why Attendance Matters

Attending school every day helps children build strong relationships, develop good habits, and make steady progress in their learning. Research shows that even small amounts of missed time can have an impact on achievement and confidence.

We expect all pupils to aim for at least 96% attendance throughout the school year.

Being on Time

Being punctual is just as important. Arriving on time means children can settle in, hear important information for the day, and start learning without disruption.

The school day starts promptly at 8.45am, and we ask that all children arrive on time so they are ready to begin their day calmly and confidently.

Absence Procedures

If your child is going to be absent, please contact the school office by 9:00am (anytime from 7.30am) on the first day of absence. Let us know the reason and how long you expect them to be away.

For planned absences, such as medical appointments, please inform the school in advance and provide evidence where appropriate. Holidays during term time are strongly discouraged and can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

Working Together

We work closely with families to support good attendance. If you are experiencing difficulties that affect your child’s ability to attend school, please speak to a member of staff—we’re here to help.

Let’s work together to give every child the best possible chance to succeed by making every day count.

If you are struggling to get your child to school on time, and would like some support, please ask to speak to our Nurture Leader, Miss Clark.

Our Attendance Policy can be found here.