Attendance

Poor attendance and poor punctuality seriously affect the progress of students in school. Research shows that if students miss 17 days a year, they can drop one IGCSE grade. The School welcomes the support of parents in ensuring that students attend school regularly and on time.

Students who arrive late to school must sign in at Student Services. Late arrival can also be very disruptive to learning and students who arrive late without an acceptable reason may be placed in detention.

Reporting absence

• We expect students to attend school every day and arrive on time. Students should be in school at least five minutes before registration time which is due to begin at 8.30am.
• Please contact Student Services before 10.00am on the first day of a student absence by telephoning 02 66801832 / 3294637741, rather than Reception. There is an answerphone out of office hours. Please give the student’s name, form and a reason for absence. A letter of explanation (or a note in the student’s planner) is required when your child returns.
• If no contact is received regarding the absence it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence. The school is responsible for deciding if the absence can be authorised.
• If your child has a poor attendance record (below 91%) you will be asked to provide medical evidence before any absence is authorised.
• Ensure wherever possible medical appointments are made outside of school hours or in the school holidays. Please see section: Medical Appointments
• Respond to school letters or telephone calls regarding attendance and punctuality.

Punctuality

• Punctuality is very important. Any student arriving to school after 8.35am will be registered as late and they will receive a late detention.
• Students are expected to be in school by 8.25 am and to register with their Form Tutor at 8.35 am.
• In Years 6-13, students who arrive after 8.30 am accumulate detentions to be sat once they have been late three times. These detentions are sat by Head of Year.
• Students who arrive after 10.30 am need a note or telephone call from home explaining their late arrival. If no note is received, this becomes an unauthorised absence.
• Ensure wherever possible medical appointments are made outside of school hours or in the school holidays. Please see section: Medical Appointments.
• Respond to school letters or telephone calls regarding attendance and punctuality.
• The school will tolerate a maximum of two late attendances under acceptable reasons. Any student who goes above the limit will be turned down immediately after informing their parent/guardian.