Attendance and Punctuality
Every day in school matters.
Excellent attendance and punctuality play a vital role in helping students achieve their full potential. Being in school, on time and ready to learn ensures students have consistent access to the curriculum, remain connected with their teachers and classmates, and have the best possible opportunity to succeed both academically and socially.
At Cox Green School, we want every student to benefit fully from everything school has to offer. Our expectation is that all students aim for 100% attendance and punctuality.
Being Ready for the School Day
To make the best possible start each day, students should:
- Arrive at school by 8:30am, ready for the school day.
- If arriving after 8:30am, enter via Main Reception and sign in with the Attendance Officer.
- Understand that lateness without a valid reason may result in a reflection.
- Remain on the school site throughout break and lunchtime. Students in Years 7–11 are not permitted to leave the school site during these times.
Regular punctuality helps students start the day positively and ensures valuable learning time is not missed.
How Parents and Carers Can Support Good Attendance
Parents and carers play an essential role in supporting excellent attendance. You can help by:
- Talking regularly with your child about school and how they are feeling.
- Encouraging your child to attend school every day unless they are genuinely too unwell to do so.
- Contacting the school as early as possible if there are any concerns or difficulties that may be affecting attendance.
- Ensuring your child attends all examinations and examination-related components.
- Arranging routine medical, dental and optician appointments outside school hours wherever possible.
- Avoiding holidays during term time. Term-time holidays will not normally be authorised and unauthorised absence may be referred to the Education Welfare Officer for consideration of a Fixed Penalty Notice or further action.
- Submitting requests for planned absence in writing at least 15 school days in advance using the Term Time Absence Request Form.
Reporting Student Absence
If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, parents/carers must contact the school before 8:00am on each day of absence.
You can report an absence by:
Attendance Line: 01628 629415
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please provide your child's name, year group and the reason for their absence.
If we have not received a reason for an absence within a reasonable timeframe, our Attendance Officer will contact the individuals listed on your child's school record.
Safeguarding is our priority. If we are unable to establish contact regarding an unexplained absence, members of staff may visit the family home to confirm the student's welfare.
Medical Appointments
We understand that some medical appointments, particularly hospital appointments, may need to take place during the school day. However, wherever possible, routine appointments should be arranged outside school hours, at weekends or during school holidays.
Where an appointment must take place during the school day, we ask that students miss only the time necessary for the appointment. Wherever practical, students should attend school before and/or return afterwards to minimise disruption to their learning.
Please provide the Attendance Officer with evidence of the appointment at least 24 hours in advance where possible. This could include an appointment letter, card or text message.
If advance notice cannot be provided:
- Students arriving late following an appointment should provide supporting evidence to the School Office or show the appointment text message.
- Students leaving school early for an appointment should provide supporting evidence to the School Office before leaving.
