Attendance

The Education Act 1996 states that all students should attend school regularly and punctually. Regular school attendance is important to make good progress. We have a legal obligation to record if any student is late or absent. If there is not a valid reason for this, the lateness or absence will have be recorded as unauthorised.

Please phone on the first day of absence or give the bus escort a message. If we do not hear from you we will phone you. We need a written explanation on your child’s return to school. If we do not receive an explanation, or if the explanation is unsatisfactory, we will not authorise the absence.

Valid reasons for absences are:

Illness
Emergency dental or medical appointments (please try to make routine appointments after school or during the holidays)
Day of religious observance
Family bereavement
Attending an interview for a job or college placement

If for any reason your child is reluctant to come to school, please contact us immediately to discuss your concerns. Your child could be avoiding school for a number of reasons; difficulties with schoolwork, bullying, friendship problems, family difficulties. It is important that we identify the reason for your child’s reluctance to attend school and work together to tackle the problem.

Extended periods of absence and any concerns we have relating to your child are reported to our Educational Social Worker. Should you wish to discuss any concerns with the ESW please telephone 0208 359 2000.