To be successful, students require the highest level of access and engagement with quality educational opportunities.

We expect the highest standards of attendance and punctuality. Research evidence and national statistics link good attendance to the achievement of academic and social potential. Attendance and punctuality also reflect pupil and parent commitment to achievement and to our school vision.

We encourage all pupils to work towards 100% attendance and set a minimum attendance target of 97% per year (equivalent to the top quartile of all English secondary schools). Excellent attendance is celebrated regularly and recognised at the end of each term via our rewards programme.

If there are problems which affect a student’s attendance, we will investigate, identify and strive in partnership with parents, students and the Local Authority, where necessary, to resolve these problems, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

We will adopt a clearly focused approach, aimed at returning the student to full attendance at all times. This policy is based on the premise of equal opportunities for all.

To report a student absence please use the Class Charts App, you can find instructions for how to do this here. If you do not have Class Charts please telephone reception. 

 

Why Attendance Matters

If a student does not attend school, or is not taking part in an approved educational activity, they are classed as ABSENT from school. This means that if your child is off school for any reason, even if they are ill or have medical permission to be off school, they are classed as ABSENT.

100% Attendance = 190 days at school

8 days absence is 96%

12 days absence is 94%

19 days absence is 90%

29 days absence is 85%

38 days absence is 80%

47 days absence is 75%

 

 

Understanding Types of Absences

Every half day absence has to be classified by the school (not by parent/carers) as either authorised or unauthorised. Information about the cause of any absence is always required, preferably in writing.

Authorised

Authorised absences are mornings or afternoons away from school for a good reason such as illness or medical / dental appointments which unavoidably fall in school time, or emergencies.

Unauthorised

Unauthorised absences are those which the school does not consider reasonable. This includes:

  • Parents/carers keeping pupils off unnecessarily.
  • Truancy before or during the school day.
  • Absences which have never been properly explained.
  • Shopping, looking after other children or birthdays.
  • Day trips and holidays in term time.
  • Oversleeping.
  • Absence to look after a sibling who is unwell.
  • Confusion over term dates.

Any problems with regular attendance are best resolved between school and parents/carers and pupils.

What is Persistent Absence?

Persistent Absence is classed as any absence that equates to over 10% of the academic year at any given time. If your child's attendance goes below 90%, they are classed as a Persistent Absentee.  

Medical Evidence

The school reserves the right to insist on medical evidence in order to code any absence as authorised or unauthorised and this decision will be made on an individual basis depending on your child's current and historic attendance. If you are asked to provide evidence this does not need to be a letter from your doctor or consultant, and doctors will not usually provide such letters. It can, instead, be appointment cards, prescriptions, or notes of previous consultations (including from the NHS App).