Attendance

Mental Health Benefits

There are numerous benefits of regular attendance at school, not only high academic achievement but also improved mental and social health. Regular school attendance is one of the best ways to protect a child’s mental and physical health and laying down strong foundations for their long-term wellbeing.


Parents' Responsibilities

Ensure your child arrives at school on time and properly equipped. 

In the case of illness, the school should be contacted by 9.00am by;

Telephone Reception and select Option 2

Please give the reason for absence and an indication of when the student will be returning to school. 

Further contact should be made if the student is absent longer than originally indicated.

Absence will normally only be authorised for illness, medical appointments, and approved sporting or educational visits or trips. In certain circumstances, an absence may be approved on compassionate grounds.

Try to make all routine dental and medical appointments out of school hours or in the holidays if possible.


Missing Students

Morning registration closes at 8.40am, after which time a student will be marked as late. Parents will normally be contacted at 10.00am if a child has not arrived at school that morning and no notice of the absence has been received from parents or carers.

If still no reason for absence is known at 10.00am, a decision will be taken as to whether or not to notify the police.


Holidays in Term-time 

The Headmaster is not able to approve holidays taken in term-time and such absences will be recorded as unauthorised.


The Law

  • Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 states that children between the ages of 5-16 should attend school regularly.
  • Attendance registers must be called twice a day; at the start of the morning and once during the afternoon.
  • When a pupil is absent, the register must also show whether the absence was authorised by the school or unauthorised.
  • Authorised absence means either the school has given approval in advance, or that a satisfactory explanation was given afterwards.

Parents are legally responsible for ensuring that all their children of compulsory school age are receiving an efficient full-time education by regular attendance at a school.


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