Attendance

Attendance and punctuality are crucial to students being successful. Our expectations are that students’ attendance will be at least 96% and that parents will support the school by not arranging holidays, events or where possible, appointments during school time. The school is unable to sanction any leave from school except in exceptional circumstances.

Absence

As you will know, it is a legal duty of parents to ensure good, regular attendance and to explain any absences.

When your child is absent from school, please call the school office to confirm the reason for the absence. If you feel that the absence might be lengthy, please contact the office who will pass on the message to the tutor. When you phone school to explain an absence please also send in a note on the day of return.

We monitor the attendance of all our students. In keeping with the Local Authority’s policy, any student whose attendance falls below 90% will trigger the involvement of the school's Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) The EWO can take legal action against you if you fail to make sure that your child attends school regularly and there is no legitimate reason for the absence. This action might take one of two forms: the issuing of a Penalty Notice and, if necessary, prosecution in the local magistrates' court. If you would like further information please contact the school 01922 416024.

Lateness

If your child is going to be late for school, please provide a note in the Journal. Students arriving before 8.35am must go to their tutor bases. Arrivals after 8.35am must report to the Main Office where they will sign in.

Leaving the Campus

Parents may request permission for students to leave the campus during the day via a letter to your child’s form tutor. Please keep these requests to a minimum as permission will only be granted for essential appointments such as dental visits that could not be arranged during the holiday or after school. For reasons of safety, students are required to sign out with school reception before leaving.

Holidays

As per the Education Regulations, a Leave of absence will not be granted during term time unless the Headteacher considers that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application.