Attendance and Punctuality
Excellent attendance and punctuality are essential to success at school. They ensure that every student has equal access to the full curriculum and the best possible opportunity to achieve academically, develop socially and participate fully in school life.
All students should aim to achieve 100% attendance and punctuality. Even short or occasional absences can result in missed learning, making it more difficult for students to keep up with their studies.
Attendance and GCSE Results
There is a clear link between regular attendance and academic achievement. The information below compares Year 11 attendance levels with the average number of GCSEs achieved at grades 9–5, formerly A*–C.
Student Expectations
Students are expected to:
- Arrive at school by 8.30am.
- Enter through the main reception and sign in with the Attendance Officer if they arrive after 8.30am.
- Provide an appropriate explanation from a parent or carer if they arrive late.
- Remain on the school site throughout the day. Students in Years 7–11 are not permitted to leave the site during break or lunchtime.
Students who arrive late without a valid reason or appropriate explanation may be issued with a reflection.
How Parents and Carers Can Support Good Attendance
Parents and carers can help their child maintain good attendance by:
- Talking regularly with their child about school and how they feel about attending.
- Ensuring their child only remains at home when it is genuinely necessary.
- Discussing any problems or concerns that may be affecting attendance with the school at the earliest opportunity.
- Ensuring their child attends school for all examinations and related assessments.
- Submitting requests for planned absence in writing at least 15 school days in advance using the Term-Time Absence Request Form.
- Arranging routine medical, dental and optician appointments outside school hours wherever possible.
- Avoiding holidays during term time.
Holidays taken during term time will not normally be authorised and may be referred to the Education Welfare Officer for consideration of a Fixed Penalty Notice or other appropriate action.
Reporting a Student Absence
If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, you must contact us before 8.00am on each day of their absence.
You can report an absence by:
- Calling the attendance line on 01628 629415 and leaving a message.
- Emailing
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If we have not received a reason for an absence, our Attendance Officer will attempt to contact all individuals listed on the student’s record.
Knowing that our students are safe is an important part of our safeguarding responsibilities. If we are unable to contact a parent or carer, members of staff may visit the student’s home to confirm their welfare.
Medical Appointments
We recognise that some medical appointments, particularly scheduled hospital appointments, must take place during the school day. However, routine appointments with doctors, dentists and opticians should be arranged outside school hours, at weekends or during school holidays wherever possible.
When an appointment must take place during the school day, students should only be absent for the time required to attend it. Wherever practical, they should attend school before the appointment, return afterwards, or both. This will minimise disruption to their lessons and attendance.
Please notify the Attendance Officer at least 24 hours before an appointment and provide supporting evidence, such as:
- An appointment card or letter.
- A confirmation email.
- A text-message confirmation.
If your child arrives late following an appointment, they must show the supporting evidence to the School Office when signing in. If they need to leave school early, evidence should be provided to the Office before they leave.
Appointment details and supporting evidence can also be emailed to
All absences and requests for leave are recorded on the student’s school record.
