Attendance & Punctuality

A high standard of attendance and punctuality is expected of all students throughout the school year.  We believe that excellent attendance directly correlates with building positive relationships, enabling students to experience all aspects of our college life and ensures academic success. As employers increasingly ask for information regarding attendance and punctuality, we are preparing our students for their future careers. 

Over the past number of years, there have been numerous disturbances to our children’s education. Our whole school attendance target is 95% or above. We monitor attendance closely and will communicate with you regarding your child’s attendance. This communication will come through the SIMS app on a weekly basis. 

Form Tutors are responsible for monitoring punctuality. The school day begins at 8:50am and lateness is not accepted. Anyone arriving after 8.50am will be required to sign a late book. Occasional lateness must be accompanied by a full explanation either by telephone or providing a note. Persistent lateness will be dealt with by Heads of Year. If a pupil is persistently late, i.e. arrives after 8.50am 3 times or more, the consequences for this are per the College’s formal sanction structure.

To help us maintain and promote excellent attendance, Parents should note that:

• If a student is absent please phone the school office to let us know
• When the student returns, parents need to provide a note explaining the absence, for the Form Tutor
• If a student is going to be absent due to a planned appointment, e.g. hospital appointment, parents must inform the Form Tutor in advance and present the appointment letter

If your child’s attendance falls below 95% we will send a letter to inform you. If their attendance continues to fall, we will contact you to discuss strategies to help improve their attendance. The Educational Welfare Officer will be notified of persistently poor attendance.

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance, in the first instance please contact their form tutor to discuss these. We have included a number of agencies who support attendance to school. 

We also celebrate excellent attendance regularly. Half termly rewards will be issued to those who have 100% attendance and awards given to individual form classes who have improved their attendance or gained the highest year group percentage. 

School Attendance Matters

Leaflet Download:
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE MATTERS A Parent’s Guide