Attendance
Good attendance is not beneficial, it's essential.
Each year the school sets an attendance target of 96 per cent and the expectation is that all students achieve this 96 per cent attendance equates to no more than 7 days absence per academic year. Your child’s attendance will be monitored daily by our Attendance Officer and if further intervention is needed, parents will be invited into school to discuss further interventions. Persistent poor attendance may be referred to the Educational Welfare Officer and can result in penalty notices and prosecution.
Students with good attendance and punctuality are regularly rewarded at Moorside High School and success is always celebrated.
Why is attendance important?
Research proves that there is a very clear relationship between excellent school attendance and academic achievement.
Year after year, the students with the best school attendance achieve the best results. The table below shows the achievement made by students in the 2022 cohort. Students with 95% attendance on average exceeded their target grades by almost half a grade in every subject. Students with 80% attendance made, on average, two and half grades less progress in every subject. We are passionate about providing students with the best possible life chances and as such, know they have to ‘be here to get there.’
Parents, carers and families are therefore asked to ensure that their young person is in school every day of term.
The law states that students can miss school if they are:
- Too unwell to attend school*;
- It has been authorised in advance by the Headteacher (such as a religious observance including attending the wedding of a family member, funeral or competitive sporting event).
* Schools may ask for medical evidence to authorise periods of absence or when attendance is below 96% or there is an existing pattern of poor attendance. Advice on whether a child should be sent to school if ill can be found here: Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Lost learning has a significant impact on a child and catching up after a period of absence can be challenging and overwhelming. 90% on a test is a great achievement, but 90% attendance means that a child is a persistent absentee and has missed 20 days of school that year, and 100 hours of lessons.
Absences
Parents/Carers should inform the school, as soon as possible, by telephone or email if a student is absent for any reason.
Tel: 0161 804 4022
Email: MHSabsence@consilium-at.com
All absences must be explained by a note from parents or a medical certificate on return to school. If a note is not provided then the absence will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’.
Family holidays should not be arranged during Term Time. The Department for Education announced that from 1st September 2013 that there is no entitlement for parents to take their child on holiday in term time. Any absences for leave must be only in exceptional circumstances and a request must be made to the Headteacher, for more information regarding this go to www.dfe.gov.uk. Exceptional circumstances would be classed as bereavement or extreme family circumstances. Taking a holiday during term time or persistent late arrival to school (after the registers have closed) or a minimum of 10 unauthorised absences, can result in an initial Fixed Penalty Fine for each parent of £60.
Punctuality
Being late to school can have a significant impact on your child's attendance and learning. All students are expected to be in school by 8.30am as the doors close automatically at this time and learning begins. Any student arriving after this will have to enter school by the Student entrance and will sign in there via reception, any student arriving late will receive a one-hour detention on the same evening.
Being late to school adds up to lost learning;
- Arriving 5 minutes late every day adds up to over three days lost each year
- Arriving 15 minutes late every day is equal to being absent for two weeks of the school year
- Arriving 30 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 19 days of the school year
Students who arrive after the registers have closed at 9am will be given a U code which is classed as an unauthorised absence for the morning. 10 unauthorised absences can result in a Fixed Penalty Fine.
What can you do as a parent to support your child’s attendance?
- Having a routine and sticking to it.
- Making sure your child understands the importance of good attendance and punctuality.
- Making sure your child arrives to school on time
- Making sure they understand the possible implications for themselves and you as a parent/carer if they do not attend.
- Taking an interest in their education – ask about schoolwork and encourage them to get involved school activities.
- Discussing any problems, they may have at the school and letting us know how we can support.
- Not letting them take time off for minor ailments or holidays
If you have any questions about attendance or would like further support please contact us via mhsinfo@consilium-at.com