Information
Attendance Support & Guidance for Parents
Conyers works closely with parents, students and external organisations to maintain strong attendance and punctuality. This important work ensures that all students can access full education, secure strong progress, and go on to secure meaningful destinations and prosperous employment. Attending school regularly ensures that students fully develop into well-rounded, confident and independent people who are equipped to face the challenges beyond school.
This guidance provides parents with useful information which highlights the meaning of good attendance and the impact of being absent. We value the support of parents in working with us to reinforce the value of strong attendance with their children.
The School Day
| Registration | 8.55am | Students should be on site by 8.50am at the latest. A movement bell will sound at 8.50am, where students should move to their tutor room. All students should be in their tutor room before the 8.55am bell sounds. Parents who drop children off by car should ensure they arrive before 8.50am. |
| Lesson 1 | 9.00am | |
| Personal Development | 10.00am | |
| Break | 10.25am | Students should use this time to access toilets if needed. |
| Lesson 2 | 10.40am | |
| Lesson 3 | 11.40am | |
| Lunch | 12.40pm | Students should use this time for lunch, toilet visits and to access any extra-curricular activities. A movement bell will sound at 1.35pm. Students should move to lesson 4 at this bell. Lessons will begin promptly at 1.40pm, when a second bell will sound. |
| Lesson 4 | 1.40pm | |
| Lesson 5 | 2.40pm |
What we expect of students
- Arrive on time each day to school (by 8.50am) and arrive promptly to each lesson.
- Register with their tutor at 8.55am every day.
- Come to school in full school uniform (or full school PE uniform).
- Have all necessary equipment each day (including iPad).
- Inform their tutor of any problems which may prevent them from attending school or arriving on time.
Why is good attendance important?
By good attendance, we mean attending school over 95% of the school year (i.e. 96% or above). Research has shown that there is a strong link between levels of attendance at school and levels of achievement. Students with high levels of attendance tend to gain better results in tests and examinations than students with lower attendance levels. Student skills are also significantly developed (communication, literacy, social and personal and relationship development) through an increased level of interaction. All parents want the best for their children and for them to get on well in life. Having a good education is important to ensure that they have the best opportunities in their adult life.
Authorised and Unauthorised Absence
Odd days here and there can add up very quickly to a significant loss of learning time for your child. Attending school regularly is crucial to their success. That said, we accept that sometimes, there are legitimate reasons to not attend school. Most absences for acceptable reasons will be authorised by the school. This includes:
- Illness.
- Unavoidable medical or dental appointments (if possible, these should be arranged for after school or during school holidays).
- Day of religious observance.
- Exceptional family circumstances, such as bereavement.
- An interview with a prospective employer or college.
Some reasons for absence would not be acceptable. Whilst odd days off may appear to have a minimal impact, they will actually have a hugely detrimental impact on your child’s progress and development. Some of the following examples are reasons why the school may NOT authorise absence:
- Shopping during school hours.
- Day trips.
- Birthdays.
- Looking after brothers or sisters or ill relatives.
- Term-time holiday.
- Caring for a disabled parent.
Where an absence is unavoidable:
- Report your child’s absence immediately by contacting the school via phone. Do not email. Parents must speak to a member of staff.
- If your child is off multiple days, parents must contact the school every day, stating the reason for absence, and when the child is likely to return. Where possible, please provide medical evidence. This will be required if your child’s attendance drops below 95%.
- Where possible, please try to arrange medical and dental appointments out of school hours. If this is not possible, your child should only be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary for the appointment.
What happens if your child’s absence is not authorised?
Legally, as a parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure your child is at school, unless they have a long-term health problem that the school is aware of.
If your child doesn’t go to school and you haven’t phoned in your notification, you’ll be contacted by the school to find out why they’re absent.
If your child is persistently absent, you will be contacted by the school in the first instance with possible follow ups from the Local Authority’s Attendance team. They will discuss your child’s attendance with you, and propose a plan to make sure they get to school. The emphasis is on providing support to help you improve your child’s attendance.You may be asked to sign an attendance improvement plan: a voluntary written agreement stating that you will work with the school to improve your child’s attendance.
Ultimately, if your child continues to miss school, legal action can be taken.
How can we work together?
We actively work with parents in addressing attendance concerns. A number of steps can be taken to help when attendance concerns arise:
- Take all reasonable measures to ensure that your child attends school every day.
- Don’t let your child take time off school for minor ailments – particularly those which would not stop you from going to work.
- Where possible, make appointments after school, at weekends or during school holidays. Remember, a morning appointment does not mean a whole day of absence. Bring your child back to school in the afternoon.
- Take family holidays during school holiday time only. Schools publish term time dates well in advance – use these to plan your family holiday.
- Encourage your child to tell you about any problems they may have at school. If you know or think that your child is having difficulties attending school, you should contact the school straight away.
- Using Arbor, monitor your child’s attendance, absence and behaviour record and check that this matches with your own records.
- Acknowledge, praise and reward good or improved attendance, even small successes
- Show an interest and attend parents meetings, concerts and other school events and ask about what your child is doing at school.
- Encourage your child to take part in school activities.