The Importance of Excellent Attendance
Atherton High School is committed to a positive policy of encouraging pupils to attend school regularly. The school works in partnership with parents/carers, the Local Authority Education Welfare Officers and other relevant services to secure this aim.
The happiness and educational progress of all our students is a high priority and we believe that good attendance is a significant contributing factor in which these priorities can be achieved. When your child is absent from school, they miss important curriculum content which underpins the breadth of study, resulting in attainment and knowledge gaps affecting future learning and progress. It is for this reason that we ask for your support in this matter.
Attendance at a glance for Parents and Carers
We would like all students to attend school for more than 98% + of the time. We know that high attendance and achieving academic potential are linked. Punctuality is also very important at the school. All students must arrive on time and be ready for learning with the correct equipment, for students who have not had breakfast this is available in the canteen from 8.00am – 8.15am.
Should your child be too ill to attend the school, please contact us on the first day of absence wherever possible before 8:20am, tel no: 01942 885500 Please keep us informed daily of your child’s progress. If you expect your child to be absent, please send in evidence of medication prescribed by your doctor or hospital. The school has a right to request evidence of illness or appointments to authorise the absence. This can be the school medical card stamped by your G.P or an appointment card from your G.P or medical centre. Should we not receive medical evidence, absences will be noted as unauthorised. Where attendance levels are of concern and monitoring is in place, medical evidence will be required for all absences. Telephone calls are made to every parent/carer of a student who is absent from the school every morning. If we cannot make contact, a text message will be sent. In some cases a follow up home visit may be made by the school Attendance Team.
Why is high attendance important to my child’s education?
As a parent/carer you want the best for your children. Having a good education is an important factor in opening up more opportunities in adult life.
- A child who is absent from school a day per week misses an equivalent of two years of their school life
- 90% of young people with absence rates below 85% fail to achieve five or more good grades of GCSE and around one third achieve no GCSEs at all
- Poor examination results limit young people’s options and poor attendance suggests to colleges and employers that these students are unreliable