Attendance guidance for parents

Principles

Our aim is to maximise the attendance of every student at Blue Coat School. Regular school attendance is vital for our students in order that they can make good progress and achieve their academic potential.

“Education matters-it is an entitlement. School is an important part of everyday life: somewhere to develop self-confidence skills, to receive praise and encouragement, to learn about and build relationships, and to achieve” (DfEE guidance – Education Protects 2000

By promoting good attendance and punctuality, we believe that we are encouraging and protecting students under the five key areas of “Every Child Matters” white paper. The Five Key areas for the well being of children:

  • Be healthy
  • Be safe
  • Enjoy and achieve
  • Make a positive contribution
  • Achieve economic well-being
Rights and Responsibilities.

Improving and maintaining Blue Coat’s good attendance is the responsibility of everyone in our school community – parents, students, staff and governors. Each year there are 190 statutory school days. This means there are 175 days for holidays, shopping, birthday treats and non urgent medical and dental appointments. Therefore absence for these reasons should be kept to the minimum as it is likely not to be authorised. Our whole school attendance target is 96%

What does an attendance target of 96% mean?

If your son or daughter attends 96% of one school year they will have had one week absent.

Attendance over One School Year

Percentage Weeks absent from school
96% 1 week plus
95% 2 weeks
90% 4 weeks
85% 5 ½ weeks
80% 7 ½ weeks

Attendance over Five School Years

Percentage Weeks absent from school
96% 5 ½ weeks
95% 9 ½ weeks
90% 19 weeks
85% 28 ½ weeks
80% 38 weeks (one whole academic year missed )

Authorised and Unauthorised absence


Authorised absence is absence with permission from school.
The DfES Statutory definitions state:

These are authorised absence:-

  • Illness
  • Emergency dental/medical appointment ( please make routine appointments after school or in during school holidays). If well enough your child should return to school immediately after the appointment
  • Day of religious observance
  • Family bereavement
  • Attending an interview- job, college, university etc
  • Holiday – at the discretion of school - see below.
  • Special occasions at school’s discretion see below
Unauthorised absence is absence without permission from school. This includes unexplained or unjustified absence.


These are unauthorised:-

  • Looking after brothers or sisters/unwell family members
  • Birthdays
  • Holidays longer than 10 days without special permission from the assistant head
  • General trips – football matches etc
  • Truancy from lessons or school
  • Persistent minor ailments without the support of a doctor’s note
  • Visits to the airport to collect relatives

 

Reporting Your child’s Absence

If your son/daughter is unable to attend school you should inform school by telephoning 76223542 or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than 10.00 a.m.

  • Remember to tell us:
  • Full name of your son/daughter
  • Their year and tutor group
  • The date of absence
  • Reason for absence
  • Expected date of return.


On return to school your son/daughter must give their tutor a letter confirming the reason and return date of their absence. (See the example return to school letter at the end of this information)

Holiday /Special Occasion Absence Request

We recognise student absence during term time can disrupt a student’s continuity of learning. Parents or carers are strongly urged not to take their son or daughter out of school during term time.

If there are any circumstances which require an absence authorisation you should submit it in writing to Mrs. Brammeier as far in advance of the requested absence as possible.

Punctuality

Students are expected to arrive in school in good time, and be punctual to lessons.
School day starts at 8.45 with morning registration. Students are expected to be outside their tutor room ready for their tutor’s arrival at 8.45

Procedure for late arrival to school
  • If your son/daughter arrives after registration has finished at 09.10 they must report to pupil reception immediately to register their late arrival to school.
  • If your son daughter arrives after 9.30 a letter must be provided explaining why they are late to school.
  • A student who does not register is assumed absent from school.






SAMPLE Absence Letter

Student’s Full Name__________________________________

Registration Group_____________

Date of absence from school Date from _________________ date to _____________

Reason for absence – please provide details of your child’s sickness or injury, refraining from using words such as ‘sickness’ or ‘unwell’. Include details of any reoccurring problems or issues, future medical appointments or treatments etc.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of parent/carer______________________________________________________
Date _______________