The impact of a Students absence from school

 

The average attendance rate for each pupil at this school exceeds 99%.

By any measure this is an impressive performance but of course there will always be exceptions to the rule.

A detailed analysis of GCSE results over a five-year period has revealed a single common factor among the very small number of pupils who have failed to achieve five or more good GCSE grades - their attendance rate was well below the school average.

Parents will be aware too, of the recent publicity surrounding children's absence from schools and the fact that the unauthorised absence of a pupil can now lead to fines being imposed on parents. It is worth emphasising that the law makes it absolutely clear that a pupil’s absence from school can only be ‘authorised’ by the School, not, by the parent.

It is for this reason that we require an 'absence note' from a parent to explain a pupil’s non-attendance. It is the receipt of this note and its acceptance by the School which enables an absence to be recorded as 'authorised'.
 

How to Report your Childs Illness or Absence "Absence Reporting Hotline:- 020 8670 6917 'option 1"
 

We require that, when a pupil is not able to attend school, parents should inform the school. (Just as in the same way that an adult would be required to inform an employer under the same circumstance). We ask that the School be informed by 9.30am on the first day of that Absence.

[It is important for parents (and pupils) to understand, that within the schools term time and within the school hours, the school is required by Law to account for the were-about's of its pupils. Therefore all absences have to be accounted for. The Attendance records of each pupil is open to both 'inspection' and 'question' by the Local Authorities Education Welfare Services, and these attendance records are indeed  inspected quite regularly. It is for this reason that we seek your support as parents to help us deal with this promptly and efficiently].

In order to make contact easier, a dedicated telephone menu option has been 'set' for this purpose, and the number is given below. Calls can be made out of hours to the answer-phone attached to this line. If a pupil is absent for more than one day, a further call should be made on the third day, giving an indication of how long the absence is likely to continue. A note explaining the whole period of absence must be sent with the pupil immediately upon her return to school. (See an example absence note via link on left).

If no call is received to explain the 'first days absence' or by the 'third day of absence', the School’s Attendance Officer will follow up the absence and make contact with parents. If we are unable to contact you directly then a letter will be sent home requesting details.
 

Another blank in the school register?

We hope that parents will appreciate that it is in their daughter’s very best interest to maximise attendance (and punctuality).

Even an attendance rate of 90% means that a pupil has lost a month’s teaching in any one academic year!

"Absence Reporting Hotline:- 020 8670 6917 'option 1"

Truancy - Parental duties and the law (Right Mouse Button and click Save Target As)

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Please help us to help your child, communication can avoid this;

Girls are as likely as boys' to play truant

Truancy and underachievement are not exclusively male traits

Teenage girls are as likely as boys to play truant and underachieve at school, according to a think tank report

[extract from news media about truants]