Absence from School

Student Absence Number - 01527 523088

It is important that students attend school as fully as possible. There is strong statistical evidence to show that students who have excellent attendance are more successful in school, make greater progress and that they are more likely to achieve their academic potential.

It is expected that all students aim for 100% attendance at school and are on time to school every day and on time to all of their lessons.

Registration

Morning registration 8:50am

Afternoon registration 2:20pm

Morning and afternoon registration are logged electronically on the school's 'SIMS' software. In addition, each lesson throughout the school day is also registered on SIMS.

Absence Procedure

If a student cannot attend school on a particular day, we ask that the parent/carer:

• Please call the switchboard (01527 523088) to report the absence. (We ask that this procedure is repeated for any subsequent days' absence.)

• Provide a letter, on the student's reutrn to school, to confirm the reason for absence and the dates involved. We ask that this letter is brought to school on the first day back.

Daily Absence Check

The school Attendance Officer checks the registers and if a student is still absent by 9:30am and no communication has been received from the student's parent/carer then contact will be made with the student's parent/carer.

Students are registered in every lesson. Any student who is absent during lesson time, without permission will be placed on detention after school and the parents/carers will be contacted as soon as the absence has become apparent. If the student subsequently fails to comply with the school's attendance requirements, then parents/carers will be asked to attend a meeting at the school in which the student will be required to sign an attendance contract.

Punctuality

All students must arrive at school, in time for tutor period at 8:50am. Any student who arrives after 8:50am, will be marked as 'late' and will be placed on detention at break time. The lateness will be recorded in the student's planner. Failure to attend detention, or persistent lateness will result in the student being placed on detention by the Head of Year, at which point parents/carers will be contacted to arrange to attend an 'attendance meeting' in which targets for attendance will be set.

For further details on attendance including information on:

• the reason why good attendance is so vital
• definitions of authorised and unauthorised absence
• holiday entitlement
• work and absence
• the role of staff (including the Educational Welfare Officer)

For more information on the importance of good attendance, please see the document in the 'Advice for Parents' section of the website.

Why Good Attendance is so Important