Attendance and Punctuality

Ysgol Y Castell regards good, punctual attendance as being vital to the educational progress of the individual and the class. The attendance register is taken, electronically, at the beginning of each morning and afternoon session and follows the attendance codes from Caerphilly Council.

The school gives a high priority to attendance conveying to parents and pupils that regular attendance is vital and that unauthorised absence is unacceptable.

After carrying out significant research, the Welsh Government is placing strong emphasis on improving attendance levels in all schools. The research carried out clearly shows that the more regularly a child attends school, the more they will learn and achieve.

Absences

If your child is unable to attend school for an acceptable reason e.g. illness; please contact the school before 9:15am or leave a message on the schools absence line.

When your child returns to school after a period of absence we ask that you send a note of explanation for the absence. This is in addition to the phone call made on the first day of absence.  The note may be sent in with the pupil when he/she returns to school.

It must be stressed that it is only for valid reasons e.g. illness that the school may record an authorised absence.  Other reasons for absence will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Most pupils and parents think 90% attendance is good.  Are they right?

90% attendance   =   ½ a day missed every week!

90% attendance over 5 years of school   =   ½ a school year missed

We urge parents not to withdraw children for holidays.

Every lesson counts!