Attendance

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Good attendance at school plays a vital role in helping young people achieve their potential and contributes to a successful, inclusive and supportive community. 

We promote and encourage good attendance by: 

• Helping students understand how regular attendance supports learning, achievement, friendships, confidence, wellbeing and future opportunities. 

• Recognising the link between attendance and attainment, behaviour, safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion. 

• Working in partnership with families to develop positive attendance habits and providing timely support when attendance becomes a concern. 

• Celebrating and rewarding good attendance through a positive, supportive and encouraging approach. 

Understanding Attendance Challenges 

We recognise that some young people face challenges that can affect their attendance. When attendance becomes a concern, we work closely with pupils and their families to understand any barriers and identify appropriate support. By working together, we can help every young person attend school as regularly as possible.

Why Attendance Matters

We understand that some absences are unavoidable. However, regular attendance gives young people the best opportunity to learn, make friends, build confidence and feel a sense of belonging. Even small amounts of absence can quickly add up and affect progress and wellbeing. 

Over the course of an academic year:

• 97% attendance = 6 days absent

• 90% attendance = 19 days absent

• 85% attendance = 29 days absent

• 80% attendance = 38 days absent

• 75% attendance = 47 days absent (just over one day every week)

Attendance Support

If you need support with your child's attendance, please speak to your child's class lead or phase lead in the first instance. Early conversations help us work together to address any concerns and put appropriate support in place.

Medical Appointments 

Where possible, routine medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours. We recognise that this is not always possible, particularly for hospital or specialist appointments.

When appointments take place during the school day, we ask that students attend school for as much of the day as possible. This may mean attending school before an appointment and returning afterwards where appropriate. Any absence should be limited to the shortest time necessary to minimise lost learning time.

Please inform the school in advance and provide a copy of the appointment letter, card or confirmation where possible.

What We Ask Of Families 

Parents and carers are expected to:

• Ensure their child attends school whenever they are well enough to do so.  

• Contact the school before the start of the school day if their child is absent, providing the reason and expected date of return.  

• Encourage positive attitudes towards attendance.  

• Keep the school informed of any medical, emotional or family circumstances that may affect attendance.  

• Avoid booking holidays during term time wherever possible.  

• Work in partnership with the school to address barriers to attendance.  

• Provide more than one emergency contact number.  

• Attend meetings where attendance is a concern.  

• Promote positive attitudes towards school and maintain high expectations for attendance.

What Families Can Expect From Us 

We are committed to supporting every student to attend and succeed.  

We will: 

• Provide an engaging curriculum that encourages students to attend and participate. 

• Take a balanced approach of support and challenge to improve attendance. 

• Work with families and external agencies to remove barriers to attendance. 

• Listen to and consider each young person's views and experiences. 

• Recognise and celebrate improvements and positive attendance. 

• Follow up absence promptly and make home visits where appropriate when contact cannot be established. 

• Work in partnership with families at every stage. 

• Ensure our attendance policy is clear, accessible, and consistently applied.