Absence

School Attendance and Absence

“We seek to ensure that all students receive a full-time education, maximising the opportunities for all to realise their true potential. All school staff will work, with students and their families, to support them in meeting their legal duty to ensure that their children achieve maximum possible attendance; and that any problems which may impede full attendance are acted upon quickly”.

Did you know?
90% Attendance means that a student is missing half a day’s school a week?

95% Attendance means that a student will miss two weeks of school in a year?

93% Attendance or better gives a student a 73% chance of achieving 5 GCSEs, Grades A-C, whatever their ability?

The Local Authority will become involved where a student’s attendance falls to 90%

There are 190 school days in a year leaving 175 in which to take holiday?

Frequently Asked Questions…
Q: My child is unwell, what should I do?
A: Please call the school reception no later than 8.30am, 01948 880347. A call is requested for every day of absence.

Q: Why do I need to call every day?
A: We cannot assume that a student is unwell just because they were off school the previous day. If you believe an absence due to illness may be prolonged please contact us so that we can make arrangements to avoid you calling daily.

Q: I know in advance that my child needs to leave school early for an appointment, what should I do?
A: Send your child to school with a note stating the reason they need to leave school and the time you wish to collect them.

Q: I have just remembered that I need to collect my child during the school day, or I have forgotten to send a note in his/her planner, what should I do?
A: In the first instance, please call us, 01948 880347. We will endeavour to raise a signing-out slip and pass a message to your child within your given timescale. However, it is not always possible to locate students straight away, for example during lunch or break times.

Q: I wish to take my child out of school for a family holiday (or other reason) during term time.

Leave of absence will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and can only be authorised by the Headteacher. Exceptional circumstances are defined as ‘one-off’ occasions where a request for leave of absence is unavoidable and does not cover annually occurring family holiday. Please complete a leave of absence request form, available from the Reception, and submit no later than two weeks prior to the start of the leave. In order for the Headteacher to reach an informed decision, please include as much detail as possible to explain why Exceptional Circumstances apply.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONTACT YOUR CHILD DIRECTLY BY TEXT OR PHONE.

Follow the link to view the Request for Pupil Leave form.

Follow the link to view Guidance on infection control.