Attendance & Punctuality
As a school, we place a high priority on achieving excellent attendance, as this enables students to take full advantage of their education and gain habits and skills appropriate for their later working life. The latest version of the school attendance policy is available here.
Where attendance means that a students education is at risk, the school may use a range of strategies to promote attendance. These may include:
- Discussion with parents and students
- Attendance report cards
- Referral to support agencies
- Time limited part time timetable
- Subject support
- Additional learning support
- Additional pastoral support
- ELSA support
- Behaviour support
Where there are concerns regarding attendance, attendance contracts may be used. An attendance contract is a voluntary, written agreement between parents and either the school or the local authority. It can also be extended to include the child and any other agencies offering support to resolve any difficulties leading to improved attendance. The contract will outline attendance targets and will detail agreed actions that will help to achieve the target which might include methods of support to be provided by the school. The contract will be reviewed regularly. The BCP Fast Track to Attendance process will be followed where an attendance contract is to be used.
Students must arrive to their tutor rooms by 8:25am. Lateness will lead to loss of social time at morning break. A formal detentions for lateness will be recorded after every two late arrivals.
All students are expected to maintain at least 97% attendance. Any attendance below 95% is unacceptable, will require medical evidence for any absence and may be referred to the local authority. Attendance of below 90% equates to one day's absence per timetable cycle (2 weeks) and is known as persistent absenteeism. This is highly likely to affect student outcomes and is reflected in school references unless this absence is authorised with support of medical professionals.
Following amendments to the Education (Pupil Registration England) Regulations which came into effect from 1st September 2013 and reaffirmed by the high court in May 2017, fixed penalty fines will be issued to any parent whose children are taken out of school (irrespective of who requests the leave of absence) unless the headteacher has authorised this because of exceptional circumstances.
