As a school, we place great importance on attendance and expect that all our students will achieve an attendance level of at least 96% each academic year.

Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly and punctually.

Any student with an attendance figure below 90% is defined nationally as a persistent absentee. This equates to just over 3 days of absence per half term and applies if the absence is authorised or unauthorised.

If a student were to get a score of 90% on a maths test this would be very good. If, however, a student’s attendance is 90% over their five years of compulsory school age, from Year 7 to 11, this equates to missing half a year of school, which is detrimental to any individual, regardless of their academic ability.

There is a strong statistical link between attendance and attainment. Studies show that students with the highest attainment in their GCSE exams, at the end of Year 11, have higher rates of attendance over Years 10 and 11, compared to those with the lowest attainment.

We review attendance regularly and have an attendance procedure we follow based on each student’s attendance percentage. The attached attendance leaflet provides important information regarding our attendance procedures.

We strongly advise parents/carers to avoid booking holidays during term time. We appreciate there may be exceptional circumstances behind a request for leave. If this is the case, you should give a detailed explanation as to why it is necessary for you to take your child out of school by completing this form and sending it to absence@kwschool.co.uk where it will be forwarded to Mr Martin for his consideration.

Rewarding Excellent Attendance

We also like to recognise students who have excellent attendance as well as those that have strived to increase their attendance by sending letters of congratulations to students and parents. Each week in assembly, we celebrate the form group with the best attendance.

Students who attain 100% attendance every half term have their name entered into a prize draw which takes place at the end of the year. The more half terms that a student attends without absence, the more entries they have in the draw which increases their chances in the draw. Previous prizes have included Apple Airpods and Love to Shop vouchers.

By working together, we can help students reach their full potential and make the most of the opportunities school has to offer.

If you feel you would like support with your child’s attendance or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Absence Reporting

If your child is unable to attend school due to illness, urgent appointments or other reasons please telephone the 24hr school absence line on 01582 314800 or email absence@kwschool.co.uk
by 8.30am at the latest, on the first day of absence and every subsequent day thereafter.

Please provide your child’s name and tutor group

Please give as much detail as possible for the reason of absence avoiding using terms such as ‘unwell’ or ‘under the weather’

If you fail to contact the school to inform us of your child’s absence, this will be referred to our safeguarding team who may consider it is appropriate to complete a safe and well check

This is a reminder to all parents/carers that informing the school is a key responsibility of yours. When staff from both the attendance and safeguarding team take time out of their day to chase families, it detracts from the support we can offer to students in school. Therefore, please ensure all reports are made by 8.30am.

Where possible, please give plenty of notice for any planned absence, for example hospital appointments, and provide a copy of any medical/dental appointment letters/cards to the school. We would appreciate all dental and non-urgent doctor appointments being made out of school hours.

The attached attendance leaflet provides further information.

Please Click here to view our attendance page on the school website.

Grace Aikman, Assistant Headteacher & Chrissy Dicks, Attendance Manager