Let's Work Together

We want to make every lesson count, please help us to do just that by aiming for 100% attendance

If your child is unwell and cannot attend school, please telephone, or email our Attendance team, on the day of the absence preferably before 8.00am.  A message can be left on the answer machine.

01252 367500 option 1
or
attendance@rowhill.hants.sch.uk

Expectation for Pupils

Attend school regularly according to the pupil’s timetable.  Attend School/Bespoke Provision punctually.   Be prepared for the school day this includes wearing the correct school uniform as a pupil may be sent home if not wearing correct uniform and it will be an unauthorised attendance mark.  Discuss with the Attendance Officer or another member of staff any problems which deter them from attending school.

 All students at Rowhill School are expected to aim for 100% attendance of their programme if they are to fulfil their learning potential.  Of course, there are times when attendance is not possible through illness or medical needs.

90% Attendance sounds quite positive until it is viewed like this.  Each year, for every 2 days a pupil is absent reduces their attendance by 1%.  There is a direct correlation between high attendance and high academic attainment. Persistent non-specific illness e.g., poorly/unwell is not acceptable and will be questioned.

Children are required by law to attend school 190 days per year. The Government states that every pupil's attendance should be at least 95%.  For pupils and parents this can be translated into the following missed learning time.

Medical Appointments

Any medical appointments should be made for out of school hours. If this is not possible, please ensure your child attends school directly after/before the appointment. Whole days off for medical appointments will not be authorised without prior consultation with the Attendance team.

Punctuality

All students need to be in school and in lessons on time. Students who constantly arrive late for school and lessons disrupt their own learning along with their peers. Persistent lateness will result in sanctions being put in place. Students should arrive in school for 8:30am.

Feeling Unwell

Should a student feel unwell at school the first point of contact will be their Teacher or a member of the Behaviour Team, who will determine after a discussion with the student if they are unable to continue with the school day.  Parental contact will always need to be made before any student leaves site; therefore, please ensure we always have your correct home numbers.

Holidays

Parents should not arrange holidays during term times as these are NOT permitted at Rowhill School. They will incur a Fixed Penalty Notice fine of £120.00 per parent, per child. In exceptional circumstances should you require a leave of absence this must be submitted in advance in writing to the Headteacher for consideration.

First Day Absence

If no parental contact has been made, and a student is absent, the Attendance team will attempt to contact a named person with parental responsibility with the details held on SIMS that morning. Once the Attendance team has attempted to make contact they will input the appropriate code into the register.

Third Day Absence (when no contact from home has been received)

If your child is not seen and contact has not been established with you or any of the named parents/carers after three days of absence the school is required to start a child missing in education procedures as set down by Hampshire County Council (HCC) guidance.  We may well conduct a home visit to check on the young person under our safeguarding guidance and procedures.  3, 5 and 10-day letters will be issued if absence continues it will then be referred to Legal Intervention Team where penalties may apply. For extended absences pupils and families may be referred to the Children Missing in Education Team.

The Law

The Education Act 1996 Part 1, Section 7 states:

The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive efficient fulltime education suitable: -

[a] To him/her age, ability, and aptitude and

[b] To any special needs he/she may have.

either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

For educational purposes the term parent is used to include those that have parental responsibility and/or those that have the day-to-day care of the child.

The legislation that appertains to children who are of compulsory school age and are registered at school is contained within this Act.

Part V1 Section 444 contains the details of when an offence is committed if a child fails to attend school.

School Leaving Age

You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you'll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.

You must then do one of the following until you're 18:

• stay in full-time education, for example at a college.
• start an apprenticeship or traineeship
• spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
•  

Links

Hampshire County Council Attendance guidance for parents/carers