Attendance and punctuality
Seaham High School is committed to ensuring that all students can fulfil their potential. At Seaham High School we expect pupils to have good attendance, above the national average and in line with the government and school target. We expect pupils to arrive in time for the beginning of the school day and for all lessons. We are proud that the majority of pupils meet those targets.
Please make sure that your child is at school every day on time.
The government and school target for attendance is a minimum of 96% however 100% attendance is even better and has a genuine impact upon results at GCSE and beyond.
At Seaham High School we recognise the importance of communicating and involving parents and carers if a pupil’s attendance becomes a concern and we ask parents and carers to involve the school at the earliest point if there are concerns about a pupil. Please contact the school Telephone 0191 5161600 and speak to the Year Manager.
What we ask of parents and carers:
- to follow the legal requirements and ensure your child receives suitable full-time education by attending school. Failure to do so can lead to a penalty notice or prosecution.
- to follow the government requirement for a minimum of 96% attendance in a school year.
- to contact the school before 8.30 a.m. if your child is too ill to attend and keep the school informed if the absence continues. A child should not be well enough to leave the house if he or she is too ill to come to school (apart from attending medical appointments).
- Telephone 0191 5161600 – choose Option 1
- to contact the school as soon as possible if there are any issues that may affect your child’s attendance. Please keep us informed.
- to ensure pupils arrive at school on time. ( after 0845 a late mark will be given)
School will:
- work with parents and pupils to support attendance at school.
- contact parents and carers if pupils are not in school and we haven’t been informed of a reason.
- follow-up any unexplained absences.
- contact parents by letter, phone call and meetings if a pupil’s attendance drops below the national and school target.
- work with third parties to support pupils and parents.
- refer persistent absence (attendance falling below 90%) to the Local Authority when school led interventions have not improved school unauthorised attendance. Unauthorised absences can lead to statutory intervention.
- refuse to authorise requests for leave of absence unless there are exceptional circumstances (taking unauthorised leave during term time could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice.)
Requests for leave of absence should be made in writing to the Head Teacher using the LOA form. A LOA request form is published on the website and copies are available from the school office. School must be informed of all holidays to ensure the reason for absence is known.
Illness:
If your child is too unwell to attend school please contact school before 8.30 a.m. and keep the school informed if the absence continues. A child should not be well enough to leave the house (apart from medical appointments) if he or she is too ill to come to school.
To report an absence Telephone 0191 5161600 – choose Option 1.
Seaham High School wishes to ensure that pupils with a medical conditions receive appropriate care and support at school. If your child has a medical condition please keep the school informed.
If you are asked to provide medical evidence for illness or appointments please bring copies of appointment cards, letters or other relevant information.
Appointments:
It is always best if appointments can take place before or after school. However, we understand at times it may be necessary for a pupil to attend a medical or dental appointment during school hours. In these circumstances we encourage a pupil to come into school to get their present mark before leaving for their appointment, returning to school afterwards wherever possible. Appointment details or cards should be brought to school so that pupils can receive authorisation to leave school and for the absence to be marked appropriately on the register.
Holidays in term time / Leave of Absence:
Head teachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Requests for leave of absence should be made in writing to the Head Teacher using the LOA request form. A LOA request form is published on the website and copies are available from the school office.
Parents and carers must inform the school if they are taking a term-time holiday so that the school is aware of the reason for the pupil’s absence. Sustained unauthorised absences without contact with the school is a safeguarding concern. Taking unauthorised leave during term time could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Punctuality:
Pupils must arrive at school on time. A late mark is given after 0845 and a 30 minute after school detention is given.
SEAHAM HIGH SCHOOL
