Reporting Absence & Attendance

Reporting Absence

In the case of absence please contact the school on the morning of each and every day of absence.

You may contact the school regarding absence by:

• Using the Parent Mail communication tool
• Phoning the student absence line on (0117) 952 7101

In cases where there are prolonged instances of illness or repeated periods of illness we may require a medical note.

Medical Absence

Please try to make medical appointments outside of school hours. If this is not possible, only remove the child from school for the minimum amount of time necessary for the appointment. If you do not the absence may be classed as unauthorised. Please ensure the school of medical absences in advance, so they can be recorded on a student’s attendance register and will also ensure we permit students to leave the school if they have to make their own way to the appointments.

We reserve our right to request evidence of medical appointments.

Medical absences will not be authorised for a full day unless they relate to hospital or a specialist appointment and we must receive a copy of the appointment letter as evidence.

Religious Observance

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: EVERY DAY COUNTS. SUPPORT YOUR CHILD TO ACHIEVE THEIR BEST

Attendance

When is 90% not enough?

Though in many situations 90% sounds like a good score, in attendance terms it is not.

An attendance of 90% across a school year is the equivalent of approximately 20 days of missed learning (a month of school). If 90% attendance is maintained over a student’s secondary education, this would mean 100 missed days of learning. Students who have an attendance of below 90% are categorised by the Government as being ‘persistently absent’. The impact of low attendance on attainment is particularly profound for those deemed persistently absent and those students who are persistently absent are a particular focus for us this year.

We are working to support students and families where attendance can be a barrier to achievement and are happy to receive any contact from parents/carers who may wish to receive support for their son or daughter in this area.

Penalty Notices

FHS and Local Bristol City Council are working together to issue warnings and Penalty Notices under Section 444(A) of the Education Act 1996 (amended regulations 2013) for students with high levels of absence.

A Penalty Notice is a fine up to £120. It is £80, if paid within the first 21 days but then £160 past the 21st day / within the 28 days. If the penalty is not paid in full by the end of the 28 day period, the Local Authority will instigate Court Proceedings and the outcome of a prosecution could be up to £1,000 per parent/adult. This is an alternative to the prosecution of parents/carers/guardians for failing to ensure the regular attendance of a compulsory school age (age 5-16 years) student where they are registered or at a place where alternative provision is provided.

Other criteria (than those listed above) for Penalty Notices include where an excluded student is found in a public place during school hours without a justifiable explanation or following a truancy sweep.

Term-time holidays