Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: School attendance expectations and procedures
Good school attendance is key to helping children have the best possible start in life to support and maximise their potential
learning opportunities. There is clear evidence which links educational achievement to good school attendance.

At Prestatyn High School, during 2025-26

• If our pupils missed more than 30% of school, they failed to achieve 5 A*-C GCSE grades.
• If our pupils missed between 10-20% of school, only 21% managed to achieve 5 A*-C GCSE grades.
• If our pupils missed less than 5% of school, more than 80% achieved 5 A*-C GCSE grades.

Prestatyn High School is determined to provide the best education to the children they serve. In recognition that school attendance
and attainment are strongly linked, a robust attendance procedure has been developed to support pupils’ learning. The procedure
includes absence prompts and opportunities to meet with staff to support parents and carers in achieving the highest possible
attendance for their child. It also, however, has triggers to progress the matter to court for a parental prosecution where there is
a failure of parents/carers to take up the support offered and where the child’s education suffers.

If your child has 20 sessions (10 school days) of unauthorised absence within one term for any reason (including holidays, lateness
after close of register and any other unauthorised absence), as part of the attendance procedures the school can request that the
Local Authority issue you with a Fixed Penalty Notice. Fixed Penalty Notices and other sanctions will only be used where parental
co-operation with this process is either absent or deemed to be insufficient to resolve the problem. The action will be used as a
means to support parents to meet their legal responsibilities. You need to be aware that although you may provide a reason for
absence, it is the school which decides if the absence is recorded as authorised or unauthorised.

Further information regarding Fixed Penalty Notices is available on the Denbighshire website. Please find attached information
for more facts relating to the link in attendance and attainment.

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the structure is in place and will be followed. It is also to encourage you to take up
the offers of support from the school to avoid reaching the point that prosecution is used as a measure to ensure your child
attends school. Our policy is in place to improve attendance. As we know, for our children, this allows them to attain. Please
support us and your child to attend more and attain more!

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours faithfully,

Claire Turner
Pennaeth/Headteacher

Llythyr Presenoldeb Medi 2026 Attendance letter Sept 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

New School Year – Working Together to Support Attendance and Learning
As we start the new academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise the importance of regular school attendance and to share important information regarding attendance expectations within Denbighshire County Council.

Evidence continues to demonstrate a significant correlation between absence during the early weeks of the school year and persistent absence later in the academic year.
In addition to its impact on academic achievement, regular attendance plays a crucial role in supporting pupils' social and emotional development. The beginning of the academic year is a particularly important period during which friendship groups are established, classroom relationships are developed, and pupils become familiar with new routines and expectations. Absence during these formative weeks can result in pupils missing valuable opportunities to strengthen social connections and integrate fully into school life. Such disruption may affect confidence, engagement, and a pupil's overall sense of belonging, potentially creating barriers to both learning and wellbeing.

Regular attendance is essential in ensuring that pupils achieve their full potential. Every day of learning is valuable, and even short periods of absence can result in missed learning opportunities that may be difficult to recover. In addition to affecting academic progress, absence can also impact a child's social development, wellbeing, and engagement with school life. Consequently, all schools across Denbighshire are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to promote and maintain high levels of attendance.

Denbighshire County Council remains committed to addressing unauthorised absence, including holidays taken during term time without prior authorisation. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) will be issued, where appropriate, to ensure compliance with parental responsibilities under attendance legislation. Requests for absence during term time will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances, with each application considered on its individual merits by the Headteacher.

Whilst we recognise the importance of family time, absence during term time can have a detrimental effect on a pupil's educational progress and attainment.
We respectfully request that parents and carers take school attendance into careful consideration when arranging holidays and other commitments. Please consult the published school term dates and seek advice from the school before submitting any request for leave of absence during term time.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. By working together, we can ensure that every child benefits from a positive and successful start to the academic year.
Yours sincerely,

G.W.Davies
Geraint Davies
Pennaeth Addysg / Head of Education

Annwyl Rhieni / Gwarcheidwiaid / Dear Parents / Carers,

As I approach my final few days at Prestatyn High School, I would like to take this opportunity to
thank all the parents and carers for their support over the past 10 years. I would also like to thank
every teacher, senior leader, member of support staff and Governor for their unwavering support
over the past years. This has allowed us to achieve great things, allowed us to grow and also
allowed us to build our reputation as a leading school in North Wales. Everyone who has helped
with our journey over the past 10 years, I thank you, without you we would not be where we are
today.

Most of all I would like to thank the pupils and students for being the best in the world. They are
smart, they are kind, some can be challenging at times but they never ever let us down. To the
young people of Prestatyn, I thank you.

I would also like to say good luck to Mr Glen Vernon who retires from education at the end of
this week. He has given his whole life to Prestatyn High School and the community it serves. I
wish him a happy and long retirement.

As I leave PHS to start a new position and begin a new chapter in my life, Prestatyn High School
will also begin a new chapter. I am absolutely sure that this school will build on the success of
the past 10 years and move forward and achieve even greater things.
I wish you all well, I wish the new Headteacher and staff all the success in the world and I will
always keep a keen eye on Prestatyn High School in the future.

Yr eiddoch yn gywir / Yours faithfully,

Diolch,

Mr Neil Foley B.Sc. MA.
Pennaeth Headteacher

Annwyl Rhieni / Gwarcheidwiaid / Dear Parents / Carers,

I am pleased to inform you that we have had another successful academic year at Prestatyn High School.
Throughout the year, we have focused on ensuring that all of our pupils make good progress, achieve positive
outcomes, and receive the support they need to thrive academically and personally.

As the academic year draws to a close, please be advised that the school will be closing early at 12.20 pm
on Friday, July 17th. This day will also be a non-uniform day. Pupils wearing their own clothes are encouraged
to make a £1 donation (in cash) which will be donated to Help for Heroes in recognition of our Year 13
students who are completing the Three Peaks Challenge.

Pupils are expected to attend school and lessons as normal. The school has made all the necessary
arrangements for school buses/taxis to be at school early to transport pupils home.

In the last few weeks, we have allowed pupils to not wear their blazers due to the very hot weather. Please
remind your son / daughter that we expect all pupils in full uniform when they return in September.

School re-opens for new term:
I would also like to remind you that the school will reopen for pupils on Thursday, 3rd September. The 1st
(Tuesday) and 2nd (Wednesday) of September are staff training days.

We look forward to seeing our Years 13, 12 and 11 during the summer holidays as they collect their
examination results; more information will be available on our website.

With the summer holidays approaching, I urge you to remind your child / children about the importance of
staying safe during this time. Encouraging them to follow safety guidelines, practice good manners, and make
responsible choices will help ensure a joyful and secure break for all. Should you have any queries during
the summer break, please do not hesitate contacting the school office via email at:
info@prestatynhighschool.co.uk

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming
your child back to school in September.

Yn gywir / Yours faithfully,

Miss E. J. Davies
Pennaeth Cynorthwyol / Assistant Headteacher

Annwyl Rhieni /Gwarcheidwiaid / Dear Parents/Carers,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your family for your continued support during this recent period of exceptionally hot weather.

Firstly, I would like to praise our students for their resilience and commitment in continuing to attend school despite the challenging conditions. Their positive attitude has been commendable, and we are very proud of how they have conducted themselves.

We are also proud that, as a school, we have remained open throughout this period. This decision has helped to support our local community, including key workers, and has ensured that students have continued access to a safe and structured environment. During this time, we have also been mindful of potential risks outside of school and are pleased that we have been able to help protect students from dangers they may otherwise have faced, including risks associated with open water during the heat.

As temperatures are expected to return to more typical levels next week, we will be reinstating our usual school uniform expectations. However, pupils will not be required to wear their blazer at this stage. We will continue to monitor the weather closely and will review this decision should temperatures change.

Thank you once again for your understanding during what has been an unusual and challenging period.

We wish you a relaxing weekend. Please take care and stay safe.

Yn gywir / Yours faithfully,

P.J. Hill 

Mrs. P.J. Hill 

Assistant Headteacher/ Pennaeth Cynorthwyol

Dear all Parents and Carers

Due to the extremely high temperatures this week and the amber heat alert, we have taken the decision to allow all pupils to wear their own clothes from Tuesday until Friday this week.

Pupils taking part in PE lessons will still require their PHS kit.

This is to ensure the comfort of all pupils due to the extreme weather. We expect all pupils back in full uniform next Monday 29th June.

We will monitor this carefully.

Important information:

• Please ensure that all clothing worn is appropriate.
• Uniform returns to normal next week.
• Bring in water in a refillable water bottle.
• Bring in and wear sunscreen where needed.

Yours sincerely,

Neil Foley – BSc, MA
Pennaeth/Headteacher