We expect every pupil to achieve a minimum of 97% attendance each academic year. We aim to ensure that all of our pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each young person to realise his/her true potential. All school staff will work with pupils and their families to ensure each pupil attends school regularly and punctually.

Please see the School’s Attendance Policy for more information.

Absence

To help the school keep your child safe, please ensure that you and your child keep to the following procedures:

  • When illness means your child needs to stay at home, we would be grateful if you would telephone the school on 01527 852 478 by 8.45am (switchboard opens at 8.15am – you can leave a message prior to this time) or email [email protected] on the first day of absence and send a signed note of explanation upon your child’s return.
  • For persistent and/or lengthy absence, please provide medical evidence.

Authorised Absence
Authorised absence means the school has given approval in advance or accepted a given explanation for reason of absence.

Unauthorised Absence
Unauthorised absence is where the school is not satisfied with the reasons given for the absence or no reason has been provided for the absence.

Persistent Absence
Persistent absence is when a student’s attendance drops below 90%. This is when referrals can be made to the Warwickshire Attendance Service (WAS) if improvement cannot be managed between the family, student and school. WAS may issue a legal attendance target which can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issues to parent(s).

  • For Health and Safety reasons, if your son/daughter arrives later (after 8:30am) to school for any reason he/she must sign in at reception.
  • If your child needs to leave school for any reason he/she must sign out at reception with written permission from parent/carer.
  • If your child is persistently late to school with a valid reason, they will be expected to serve an after school detention.

Holiday requests in Term Time

The Department for Education expect us to discourage such practice as it can lead to problems for all concerned:

  • Your child’s education suffers;
  • Lessons and extra-curricular activities are missed;
  • Continuity of project work is lost;
  • There is often no opportunity for teachers to set additional work or to assist a child in catching up on their return from holiday;
  • The class is generally disrupted; other pupils suffer as a result;
  • You will be in breach of your legal obligation to send your child to school.

For this reason, on the 1st September 2013, the Government has brought in new guidance tightening up the regulations related to pupils taking time off in term-time. Head Teachers are no longer permitted to authorise absence for holidays taken during term time. They are permitted to grant leave only in exceptional circumstances. If you think you have exceptional circumstances please talk to us without delay and before arrangements are entered into or money committed.

If exceptional circumstances are accepted the Head Teacher will determine how much absence will be authorised.

 

Attendance Facts:

How can parents and carers ensure good attendance?

  • Help your child to develop a routine, sleep is so important and many children do not get enough.
  • A morning routine is important too, try to make sure your child has breakfast; it speeds up metabolism and helps them to be more alert at school.
  • Make sure lunch and books are organised the night before.
  • Consider the importance of your child’s education when you book appointments or holidays. Where possible book dental and medical appointments after school. If this is not possible ensure your child attends school before and after the appointment and let the school know in advance.
  • Avoid booking holidays during term time. If unavoidable you MUST ask for the schools permission 6 weeks in advance.
  • Don’t give in to your child each time they complain of feeling ill. If you are unsure send them in with a note explaining your concern and an up to date contact number should the school need to phone you. You may well find that this works and the amount of times your child feels ill reduces. It will help your child develop good habits for the world of work where absence and lateness are rarely tolerated.
  • If this continues, ask to meet school staff it may be an indication that your child is unhappy about something at school.
  • A child with a good school attendance record is setting themselves up for a better future once they leave school. School attendance is quoted on job references. Studley High School regularly receive request for attendance history from local colleges and employers.

Help your child to be safe, if your child truants and misses school without your knowledge how do you know they are safe? They could easily become involved in crime, anti-social behaviour or drugs.

Truants are more likely to be out of work, homeless and three times more likely to offend, than non-truants. Home office research found that 75% of boys and 50% of girls who truant – one day per week, have already committed offences. IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT IN SCHOOL, WHERE ARE THEY AND WHO ARE THEY WITH?