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Attendance Matters

At Abbey Park School we want our students to be in school learning and striving for success. Research has shown that regular attendance and good punctuality are crucial factors in students achieving their full potential in education. For this reason, we reward and celebrate students who achieve 100% attendance and whose attendance is improving each term.

If a student’s attendance falls below 95% this is considered a cause for concern. Whilst some absence from school is unavoidable, it is vital that all students strive to be in school every day. Parental support in achieving this is absolutely crucial.

Department for Education statistics show that of pupils who missed between 10% and 20% of school, only 35% manage to go on to achieve five good GCSEs. This compares with 73% of pupils with over 95% attendance. Furthermore, attendance records are included with a reference written by the school and therefore poor attendance can have further long term consequences.

The target attendance figure for all students is a minimum of 95% attendance.

Attendance ladder

How do we manage attendance?

Your child will be informed of their current attendance by their tutor. We monitor closely students whose attendance is falling and will contact you if your child’s attendance does not improve. As a parent/carer you are committing an offence if you fail to ensure that your child attends school regularly and punctually, even if they are missing school without your knowledge. It is important that parents/carers monitor single days of absence, as these days soon add up to weeks.

What we are asking you to do?

As a parent, there are important steps that we would ask you to take to support us in this focus on high levels of attendance:

  • Ensure your child attends every day, on time, equipped and ready to learn. Tutor time begins at 8.45am and students should be in the building by 8.40am. The student gate will be closed at 8.40. Students are considered late if the arrive after 8.45am and will be registered by a member of our pastoral team as being late. This will result in a C3 and a detention the following day.
  • Ensure the school has up to date addresses and telephone numbers. We will contact you if your child is absent and you have not contacted the school. This ensures that any absence is quickly identified.

Absence reporting

If your child is unable to attend school please contact the Absence Line on 01793 705400 then select Option 1, before 08:30am if possible, and leave a brief message stating:

  • Your name
  • Your child’s name
  • Tutor Group
  • Nature of the absence/illness - Medical Evidence is required for 5 or more consecutive days absence due to illness (3 days if prior to or after a school holiday)

It is essential that the Pastoral Team is notified every day that a student is off sick. This is not only to keep Attendance records accurate but to ensure your child’s safety. If you were to send your child back to school and we assume they are still absent due to illness an incident could occur that neither parties are aware of.

If you are unable to provide medical evidence in the form mentioned above, the absence marks will revert to O=Unauthorised and a Penalty Notice may be issued for Avoidable Absence.

Request for Leave Of Absence

A ‘Request for Leave of Absence’ form should be completed and returned to the Attendance Office. This can be found below or collected from Reception. The reply process can take up to two weeks.

Amendment to Code of Conduct, Holidays in Term Time, September 2016

Please note below, changes to term time holiday as directed by Swindon Borough Education Welfare, Legal Dept. The following will take immediate effect:

  • Family Holiday will not be granted during term time unless the Head Teacher considers it to be extenuating circumstances
  • It is only the Operational Principal who can approve or decline requests
  • A Leave of Absence from should be submitted to Attendance Officer in the first instance
  • Attendance below 95% is considered failure to attend regularly
  • The reference period is 12 weeks prior to date of referral for Penalty Notice
  • Therefore, the holiday absence will be included in the reference period

If you have any enquiries regarding Leave of Absence please contact your Head of key Stage.

Absence and Attendance Policy (320KB)

We expect students to attend school every day and on time to ensure they maximise their full learning potential.

Request for Leave of Absence (471KB)

Please complete and return to your Head of Key Stage