Attendance

Regular school attendance is essential for all of our pupils to make good progress, achieve their academic potential and consequently have better chances in life. Every pupil at Dean Trust Rose Bridge, in line with the Governments expectations, is expected to maintain an attendance level of 97% and above. It is the responsibility of everyone in our school community – parents, carers, pupils, staff and governors to ensure they achieve this; therefore, we monitor and review the attendance of all pupils constantly.

• “Better attendance at school by pupils improves their educational achievements, and in turn, their lives and prospects.”

Each year there are 190 school days which leaves 175 days for holidays, shopping, birthday treats and non-urgent medical and dental appointments. Therefore, the school will not authorise absence for these reasons.

In order to achieve 97% attendance in one school year, your child will have had less than 10 days absent. 

We appreciate that children are unwell from time to time and that there can be exceptional circumstances for absences, but we ask that you think carefully about keeping your child out of school. There is a strong connection between good attendance and achievement at school. Absence is proven to have a significant negative impact upon a child’s educational attainment. In addition, regular school attendance keeps children safe. Evidence shows that pupils who truant are more likely to be involved in crime and anti-social activity. 

Poor school attendance is at least 10 sessions (5 school days) lost to unauthorised absence. Unauthorised absence is when no valid, reason has been provided to the school by the parent/carer for the absence. An Education Penalty Notice will be issued for 10 consecutive sessions of unauthorised absence.

Punctuality

Pupils need to be in school no later than 8.38am. Pupils who are late to school will complete an afterschool detention on the day that they are late. Failure to attend the detention will result in escalated sanctions. Communication regarding this is sent either via MCAS (My Child at School) or an email home. 

In cases where a child persistently arrives at school after the register has closed (9.35am), unauthorised absence marks are issued. Poor school attendance combined with and lateness which amounts to 10 sessions lost within a period of no more than 10 weeks, can also trigger an Education Penalty Notice.

On the rare occasion your child needs to be off school due to illness or any other appropriate reason it is the parent/carers responsibility to contact the Attendance Team on 01942 510712, Option 1, before 8.30am, to disclose the reason for absence. Parents/Carers should also provide a note to the child’s Form Tutor on their return to school.

Known Absence (including appointments during the school day)

All appointments should be made out of school hours. However, in extreme circumstances, a pupil may need to attend an appointment during the school day. If this is the case, the Leave of Absence Form below should be completed and returned to Mrs Cundle prior to the appointment so a decision can be made. Pupils must be collected from school by a parent or carer if permission is granted. Pupils will not be allowed to leave the school site unsupervised.

Holidays

Holidays are not authorised by the school unless it is classed as ‘exceptional circumstances.’ If exceptional circumstances apply to you, please fill in the Leave of Absence Form below and return to Mrs Cundle at school.

Attendance Rewards and Initiatives

Pupils who achieve fantastic attendance (above 97%) will receive a variety of rewards. These include reward breakfasts, praise postcards, vouchers and pupil bonuses for example ‘jump the dinner queue pass’. Certificates from Heads of Year are also awarded in end of term assemblies for 100% or significantly improved attendance. This year we will have reward events at the end of every half term, free of charge to all pupils who are eligible.