Attendance

School Times

The school gates are open from 8.00am.

The school day starts at 8.40am and all pupils should be in their tutor classroom at this time.

The first (morning) registration session starts at 8.45am.

Pupils will receive a late mark if they are not in their designated classroom by 8.45am.

The register closes at 9.30am.

Attendance after the register closes will receive a mark to show that the pupil is on site (U), but will count as an absent mark. Pupils arriving late should report to the main school office to sign in.

The second (afternoon) registration session starts at 12.30pm.

Absence reporting

Parents/carers must record absence via Arbor Parent App (Quick Actions/Attendance/Log absence) or contact the school Attendance Officer via Arbor App messaging system or telephone absence line (Option 1) to notify the school of any absence or lateness and, when doing so, give an accurate explanation for the absence.

Parents are expected to contact the school by 8.30am providing the reason for absence and when their child will be returning to school.

The school will follow up any absences to ascertain the reason if we do not receive one.

Unexplained absences will be followed up on the morning of the first day of unexplained absence and the school will identify whether the absence is approved or not.

The school will contact parents and/or other listed emergency contacts where no contact has been made. Where required, we may conduct reasonable enquiries with friends or neighbours and will carry out welfare home visits as necessary. If no contact is made, we may request a welfare check from the police.

In the case where the reason for absence cannot be ascertained by the school and no reason has been issued for the pupil’s absence, the school will initiate safeguarding procedures and the DSL will decide on the best course of action to ensure the safety of the pupil, following procedures for children missing in education as outlined in the document from the Department of Education. Any pupils who fail to attend regularly or who are absent for more than one week will be referred to the Headteacher.

The school will identify the correct code to use and will input it as soon as the reason for absence in ascertained. This will take no longer than five working days after the session.

If a pupil needs to leave school during the day, they must sign out at the main reception with a parent once authorisation has been given.

To request a ‘Leave of Absence’, please complete this form. Paper copies can also be obtained form from main reception. The completed must be returned for the attention of the attendance officer.

Pupils educated off-site are monitored daily for their attendance at the off-site/alternative provision.

Staff work closely with the staff at the off-site provision, the pupil, and their parents to support the pupil to maintain good attendance.

If parents/carers would like more detailed support about attendance, please contact the school.

Attendance Strategy

You can view our 2025/26 attendance strategy here.