St Matthew's

Every moment counts

We want our pupils to benefit from the highest quality education to enable them to excel. We know that pupils who attend well have the best chances of success academically and socially. They are more likely to achieve well in examinations and assessments and more likely to form secure and lasting friendships.

This can only be achieved it pupils are in school regularly, and on time.

We have a meticulously planned curriculum which sets out exactly what pupils should be taught at every stage of the year. When pupils are absent, they risk developing large gaps in their learning.

Excellent attendance is everyone’s business and improving attendance is in everyone’s interests. We aim to secure good attendance by building strong relationships with pupils, parents and carers so that we can support them to reduce any barriers to school attendance.

Mrs Stoves is our inclusion officer whose role is to promote and manage pupil attendance and to provide support for pupils and families for whom school attendance is a challenge. Please get in touch with the school office if you would like to speak with Mrs Stoves about your child’s attendance.  

Prudhoe Partnership of Schools

St. Matthew’s is part of the Prudhoe Partnership of Schools. This measn that we work in friendly collaboration with our neighbouring schools on a number of initiaitves including the promotion of good school attendance. Below, you can see our shared Prudhoe Attendance Pledge, something which we ask all parents, children and community members to support us in its impementation.

Leave of Absence

Penalty Notices

Penalty Notice Information for Families Holidays in Term Time. You may be aware that new legislation comes into force in August 2024 regarding the issue of Penalty Notices to address attendance concerns in the UK. There will be a transitional period, but this new legislation will take effect for absences recorded from the start of the September 2024 academic year. Read more here: