Attendance

The Department for Education launched a campaign in 2024 to raise awareness of the importance for pupils to be in school: "Improving school attendance in everyone's business and, to tackle the challenge school's face, we need to work together."

The campaign aims to support schools and local authorities in navigating attendance challenges; amplify the importance of school attendance; reassure parents/carers with the NHS and Chief Medical Officer recommendations around illnesses and general cold symptoms; encourage schools to participate in the campaign.

Having a good education is an important factor in opening up more opportunities in adult life. We are supporting the Moments Matter, Attendance Counts national campaign to improve school attendance.

Regular school attendance has a significant impact on a student's academic achievement and future prospects. Students attendance rates below 92% will achieve one GCSE grade lower than the target grade. They are much less likely to achieve their full potential. This impacts students by limiting their options for further education and employment. At Coombe we strive to provide an environment where all students feel valued and welcome. Regular attendance helps our students to develop important routines, cope better with schoolwork and friendships, and find learning more engaging and rewarding. The habits formed around attendance and punctuality in school mirror the expectations of future employers and school facilitates positive peer relationships, contributing to better mental health and wellbeing. Regular attendance at school ensures that children get the best possible start in life and research demonstrates the link between regular attendance and educational progress and attainment. We are grateful to you for your encouragement of your young person and your support outside of school.

We all play a vital role in encouraging students to attend school regularly. We can aid young people by establishing a routine at home and at school to help them prepare for the day ahead. Here are a few more collaborative actions:

• Communicating the importance of school and the value of education is key. We want to help students understand how regular attendance contributes to their future success and is essential for achieving their short and long-term goals. Each term, we celebrate their achievements related to attendance with Headteacher Awards, certificates, house points and other encouragements. We aim to lead by example, by demonstrating our commitment to our own responsibilities, commitments and punctuality in school.

• It’s important that we all foster positive relationships and encourage connections with peers and staff. This not only helps enhance their enjoyment of school but is proven to aid their wellbeing and mental health. We aim to keep open lines of communication and listen to a child’s concerns and work together with families to find solutions. We encourage our students to seek support if peer challenges or academic difficulties arise and communicate these concerns home so we can address issues quickly.

• We would love for all our students to take part in an extracurricular activity. There is an array of clubs to choose from - no sign-up necessary! - and your help in encouraging their participation would be appreciated.

• We expect that medical or other appointments to only be scheduled outside of school hours whenever possible.

Our social media reelsOur awareness posters

Department for Education Resources for Parents/Carers

Working together to improve school attendance (DfE link) improving school attendance (Eductation Hub link)Mental Health & Attendance at School (Cambridge University Press link)

Daily unplanned absences due to sickness or other exceptional unforeseen circumstances should be reported via the Arbor app or Parent Portal by 8:20 on each day of the absence.  Quick Actions > Attendance > Log an Absence.

You can also find instructions by clicking on the Report Absence and Lateness button at the top of the school website.

Absence requests are rarely granted and almost never to those whose attendance is below 98%, and requests for holidays during term time are never authorised.

1. Requests for all forms of absence (including medical/dental appointments) must be made well in advance and in writing using this form.

2. Parents must print and complete the form and return it to the school reception or email a copy to [email protected].  We ask for a month’s notice. 

3. The Headteacher will then make a decision as to whether the absence is approved or not and this decision is final.

Any absence taken without authorisation, without suitable notice, or taken after the school has refused permission, will be treated as unauthorised. A pattern of such absence, or a one off absence of more than one day, will trigger further intervention. The school will always inform the appropriate staff at the Local Authority about any unauthorised absences.

We take punctuality very seriously and will work with you to ensure that your daughter has a good start to the working day.

All late arrivals will be recorded in Arbor.  Those students with more than 2 Late arrivals each week will be issued a Late detention at the end of the week.

The Coombe Trust Attendance Pledge and Home School Collaboration 

Read the pledge here