Attendance
We aim for every student to have 100% attendance, 100% attendance and good punctuality will always be rewarded. Whilst genuine illness cannot be avoided, parents/carers need to be mindful of any medical appointments that are taken within school time. These appointments are classed as absences and can, therefore, have a negative effect on attendance figures.
Wherever possible, medical appointments should be made outside school hours. If this is not possible, students should aim to be in school during registration and before mid-day when the official registers are calculated.
Students are expected to attend school for 190 days each year; this means that there are 175 days when they are not in school in which to book medical appointments, holidays, leisure activities, etc.
If parent/carers do not let the school know their child is away from school ill, they will automatically receive text message to notify them that their child is absent. It is vital that parent/carers reply to this message otherwise their child’s absence will be recorded as unauthorised; the same process is used if a student is late.
Student absence can be reported at any time by parents/carers by using any of our dedicated attendance systems, parents/carers can call our absence line 01299 406828 or texting 07422 128124 or email absence@bewdley.worcs.sch.uk
There is strong statistical evidence to show that students who have excellent attendance are more successful in school and achieve to a significantly higher standard. Research from the Department for Education suggests that 17 missed school days a year will result in a drop of one grade in GCSE achievement.
Attendance is inextricably linked to achievement and attainment. Official statistics show that 78.7% of students with full attendance in key stage 4 achieved 5+ 9 to 4 grades including English and Maths. For students with attendance between 95% and 99.9% this dropped to 69.1% and by the time a student became a persistent absentee (i.e. attendance of 90% or below) the rate of students still achieving 5+ of the top grades has decreased to 35.6%. The table below highlights the link between attendance and learning
If a student’s attendance over the school year is…
| If a student’s attendance over the school year is… | …They will miss this many days | …and this many lessons |
|---|---|---|
| 95% | 10 | 60 |
| 90% | 19 | 114 |
| 85% | 29 | 174 |
| 80% | 39 | 234 |
| 75% | 49 | 294 |
| 70% | 59 | 348 |
For further information and support please contact our Attendance Team via email SDO@bewdley.worcs.sch.uk
Ways to Improve Your Attendance
- Talk regularly to your form tutor if you have any worries within school
- Ensure you are ready and organised to face each day
- Keep yourself fit and healthy so you don’t become unwell
- Make it an expectation to attend school everyday
- Embrace the school environment, make good friends, keep motivated and enjoy the challenge.
Holidays during Term Time:
Please note that holidays during term time are extremely unlikely to be authorised unless your circumstances are exceptional as defined by Government criteria.
If your child’s attendance is below 90% or has been in the previous academic year, or you take your child out of school for a holiday without prior authorisation, then we are obliged to inform you that, in line with Worcestershire County Council Policy, you may be subject to a penalty notice of £60 payable per parent, per child, increasing to £120 each if not paid within 21 days. If this fine is not paid within 28 days this may lead to court proceedings. If a holiday is in line with the Government criteria and therefore authorised, please note than no more than 10 days should be taken in one academic year.