Attendance
Analysis of Year 11 students' GCSE results from last year shows that those with 99+% attendance achieved an average of 1.6 grades higher in each subject than the minimum grade expected by the Department for Education. Those with 97-95% attendance achieved 1 whole grade higher than the minimum expected for their ability. The message is clear that students with excellent attendance achieve excellent outcomes. Although 80%-93% might sound a very high figure in other circumstances it is not acceptable for attendance. Less than 94% has a proven negative impact academically and socially.
Equally important are good social skills and becoming a well-rounded person; students also get to experience more of the full curriculum that includes development of their character, cultural capital, careers and extra-curricular activities. Our school target for attendance is 97% and we thank you for your continued support in pushing your child towards reaching this minimum.
Reporting an absence
Please help us by reporting a student absence prior to the start of the school day by either emailing: attendance@daca.uk.com, sending a message via MCAS or calling the school number: 01254819500 option 1 or 01254 819544.
Following up absences
School’s will follow up any absences to ascertain the reason, ensure proper safeguarding action is taken where necessary, identify whether the absence is approved or not and identify the correct attendance code to use.
All schools within the Trust will follow up absences in the following way:
Parent/carer(s) are called on the first day of absence – if no contact is made with the primary contact then this should include anyone with parental responsibility and those named as Emergency Contacts – even if they do not live with the pupil or student. If no contact is made, then messages are left to inform all contacts that a home visit will be carried out on day 2 if the pupil or student has not returned to school. Details of the call home and to any other contacts to be recorded on BROMCOM on the same day. If there are concerns about the pupil or student then information is also to be logged on CPOMS.
On day 2 of absence parent/carer(s) are called including anyone with parental responsibility and those named as Emergency Contacts – even if they do not live with the pupil or student. If no contact is made then a home visit is carried out that day for those students identified as being the most vulnerable or at risk; where possible this should include speaking to neighbours. The priority for these visits should be for those pupils or students who have been identified by the school as requiring immediate intervention.
If the pupil or student does not live with both parents, but both are named as contacts, then where possible a home visit should also be conducted at the second parent’s address if no contact is made at the primary address. If parent/carer(s) aren’t spoken to then a card or letter is left at the addresses visited, informing them of the visit, asking them to contact the school and informing them that if no contact is made then another home visit will take place the following day. Information should include the name of the person to contact at school.
On day 3 of absence parent/carer(s) are called including anyone with parental responsibility and those named as Emergency Contacts – even if they do not live with the pupil or student. If no contact made then a home visit is carried out that day; where possible this should include speaking to neighbours. If the pupil or student does not live with both parents, but both are named as contacts, then where possible a home visit should also be conducted at the second parent’s address if no contact is made at the primary address. If parent/carer(s) aren’t spoken to then a card or letter is left at the addresses visited, informing them of the visit, asking them to contact the school & informing them that if no contact is made then another home visit will take place the following day. Information should include the name of the person to contact at school.
