School Attendance

Why good attendance matters:

Students whose attendance is good:

• Understand lessons better
• Achieve better results
• Get better jobs
• Stand less chance of being drawn into criminal activity
• Sustain friendships

Students whose attendance is unsatisfactory:

• Get behind with their work
• Don't understand lessons so well
• Achieve less
• Get worse jobs
• Are more likely to be drawn into criminal activity
• Find it difficult to maintain friendship groups

Parents whose children's attendance continues to be unsatisfactory:

• Can be fined up to £2,500 plus legal costs and also face
  imprisonment

What does ‘unsatisfactory ‘ attendance mean?

• Attending 90% of the time or less. This will have a serious effect on learning.
• One day’s absence every two weeks will give 90% attendance
• Continual lateness to registration and lessons.

When can I keep my child away from school? The school can only authorise an absence in the following circumstances:

• Genuine illness
• A family crisis (i.e. if someone in the family dies)
• Religious observance

Please note: A letter from a parent or guardian does not automatically authorise an absence.

These reasons for being absent are NOT ACCEPTABLE

• Shopping
• Oversleeping
• Having a birthday
• Looking after younger siblings
• Staying at home for deliveries/workmen
  

What about holidays?

Parents are encouraged not to take holidays during term time.

Application for authorised absence should be made on the appropriate form available from the school.

Authorisation of an absence will be at the discretion of the headteacher.

Parents are asked to seek
authorisation before booking their holidays

If a student arrives late to School after nine?

• Students will be questioned at the gate as to their lateness
• Year team Leaders will be
  advised daily of late students and detention given
• Parents will be contacted if a student is late three or more times in a week.
• It is important students are on time for school as lateness causes
  disruption to lessons and peer groups.

If a student is late or has attended a medical appointment they should sign in at student services so the appropriate code can be inputted , accompanied with a note or
appointment card.

Morning registration is at 8.45am
Afternoon registration is at 2.00pm

What should parents do if their child is absent?

Call the attendance line on: 01933 278103 before 9.30am

This line has an answer phone and is open 24 hours a day.

Please state clearly your child’s name, tutor group, the reason for
absence and the expected date of return.

Follow up with a note and give it in at Student Services.
(This can be written in your child’s planner).

What the school will do if your child is absent:

If we have not heard from you we will contact you on the first day of absence.

This may well cause you inconvenience so please use our designated attendance line:01933 278103