Attendance

The foundation for good attendance is a strong partnership between the college, parents and the child.

It is the expectation of the college that all students will achieve at least 97% attendance.

Any child who is absent from college at the morning or afternoon registration period must have their absence recorded as being authorised, unauthorised or as an approved educational activity. Only the Executive Principal or a member of staff acting on their behalf can authorise absence. If there is no known reason for the absence at registration, then the absence will be recorded in the first instance as unauthorised. The coding for any absences will be in accordance with the guidance provided by the Department for Education.

Parents/Carers are expected to:

ensure their children attend college and arrive on time every day.
promote a good attitude to learning by ensuring their children attend college in the correct uniform and with the basic equipment required for lessons.
arrange medical and dental appointments out of college time wherever possible.
telephone by 8:35.a.m to inform the college on the first day of absence for their child.
provide a written explanation of absence, including dates of absence as soon as their child returns to college.
work in partnership with the college and other agencies in the best interests of their child; this includes informing the college about significant influences and changes in the child’s life, which may impact on learning.

Absence from school

First day of absence

Parents/Guardians inform the school by 8:35.a.m if their child is absent that day. If a student is absent and the college have had no contact from home, then the attendance officer will personally call the numbers that are held on the school’s system. Any responses to the calls will then be monitored by the attendance officer who will update the student’s registration code.

Second day of absence

If a child is still absent and there has been no contact from home the attendance officer will personally call the numbers again held for the student and notify Lead DSL. A home visit is arranged by the attendance officer and the relevant Learning Coach. If no-one is present at the home a letter is left stating that the family must contact the college immediately.

If there is a serious concern regarding the student’s absence a referral is made to Social Services.

Fifth day of absence

Any student who is absent without an explanation for 5 consecutive days will be notified to the Local Authority, by submitting a referral to the Child Missing Education (CME) team. The college will include details of the action that they have taken.

If a child has been absent from college for over 3 college days and college are aware of the reason a wellbeing home visit may be made.

Lateness

Morning registration will take place at the start of college at 8.35 am. Any student arriving after registers close will be marked as having an unauthorised absence (U) unless there is an acceptable explanation i.e. college transport was delayed. In cases for example, where the absence at registration was for attending an early morning medical appointment, the appropriate authorised absence code will be entered.

Students arriving after the start of college but before the end of the registration period will be coded as late before registers close (L).

The law treats persistent lateness in the same way as irregular attendance and parents may be prosecuted by the Local Authority.