ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS
Tottington High School’s individual target for attendance is 100%. The government's minimum expectations for attendance is 95%.
The school expects all our pupils to attend all day, every day, achieving 100% attendance. Should your child’s attendance drop to 95% attendance in ONE SCHOOL YEAR ALONE, your child will miss 9 school days and at least 45 hours’ worth of lessons.
Recent research shows there is a positive correlation between attendance and achievement, so 95% equates to dropping at least half a GCSE grade. 90% attendance equates to 19 days lost, at least 95 hours’ worth of lessons, and a drop by at least one whole GCSE grade.
REPORTING ADSENCE
It is required that contact is made with the school every day that a child is absent.
Absence must be reported before 08.30.
- E-mail explaining student absence to attendance@ths.set.org (preferred method)
- Phone call to the school’s absence line on 01204 882327
Is my child too ill for school? - NHS
PLANNED ABSENCE
Holidays during term time will not be authorised. Please make appointments outside school hours where possible. If this is not possible, we recommend students attend school before and/or after the appointment, even if only briefly, before being signed out. This ensures that the impact on a child’s learning is minimal, and their attendance will not be negatively impacted.
Any absences which are known about in advance, such as doctor’s appointments, are to be sent to attendance@ths.set.org
Please attach a copy of the paperwork for the appointment as soon as possible (such as hospital letter or appointment card). Please also clearly state what time your child will need to be signed out of school. All students must be collected and must sign out of school at reception before leaving.
| Attendance % for a year | Days absent | Hours of lessons missed |
| 95% | 9 | 45 |
| 90% | 19 | 95 |
| 85% | 29 | 145 |
| 80% | 38 | 190 |
| 75% | 48 | 240 |
| 70% | 57 | 285 |
| 65% | 67 | 335 |
Below are some of our frequently asked questions. If your question hasn't been answered, don't hesitate to get in touch by emailing attendance@ths.set.org
How do I report my child’s absence from school?
It is a parent/carer’s responsibility to notify school if their child is absent. A clear and sufficient reason must be provided. Absence can be reported via two channels:
- [Preferred] Email attendance@ths.set.org
- Calling 01204 882327
I phoned to tell you they were ill, why has their attendance still gone down?
Even if an absence is categorised as authorised it is still a session of schooling missed and will negatively impact a students’ overall attendance percentage.
What is the difference between an authorised and unauthorised absence?
Where a pupil is absent due to sickness and is genuinely unable to attend school, then the school, after being informed, may authorise a child's absence.
It is important that you e-mail or phone the school as early as possible, if your child is going to be absent at the start of the day. You will receive a text message from the Attendance Officer if you do not inform us, as it is our duty to ensure your child is safe.
If the school is not provided with a suitable reason for absence, or the reason given is not sufficient, then it may be recorded as unauthorised.
In cases where students have poor attendance (below 95%) the school may require additional evidence before authorising absences.
What will happen if my child does not attend school?
If your child does not attend school regularly (over 90%) the Local Authority can take action against you. This can be through a Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) or a summons to appear at Magistrates’ Court.
How do I know if my child is too ill to attend school?
Children can attend school with minor ailments (toothache, headache, stomach-ache, cold, sore throat, once a Lateral Flow test has been taken). Over the counter medicines can be given before school. School will contact you if they become too ill to stay in school.
My child has contacted me and asked me to come and collect him/her. What do I do?
As you are probably aware, students are not allowed to contact home to ask parents to come and collect them from school. They should always, in the first instance report to Student Services or their Head of Year, who will decide whether a phone call home is the best course of action.
If, however, your child does contact you from school, we would ask that you remind them of this procedure and be rest assured that we will contact you if necessary.
However, we should remind you that if students do contact home directly and parents do come to school to collect, this absence would be classed as unauthorised and we would always try to see both the parent and student before they leave the school, so that we can discuss this with you.
.png){kind=logo}
.png)
