School AttendanceA Guide for

Parents and Carers

We can only teach those who attend,the greater the attendance,the greater the achievement

As a parent you are legallyresponsible for making sure that your child attends

school regularly and punctually.

If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance,

please contact the school to discuss.

It is the parent’s/carer’s responsibility to contact the school to report that their child/ward is absent.

Who is here to Help?Attendance Officer - Mr Lee - 01580 764222 ext. 219

Discovery Office - Mrs Sivyer - 01580 764222 ext. 242Attendance Year 7 & 8 -

Mrs Taberer - 01580 764222 ext. 280 / 324

Punctual and regular school attendance is an essentialrequirement for successful

learning from the time a child starts school

UNAUTHORISEDExamples:

Holidays during school time without permission from the PrincipalLooking after younger siblings

ShoppingHaving a Birthday

OversleepingInadequate uniform

Medical / Dental appointments of more than 1/2 day.

Homewood School will decide if the absence will beauthorised after the reason has been given.

AUTHORISEDExamples:

Genuine illness that makes your child unable to come toschool (not just a headache or tummy ache)

Religious observance Close family bereavement

MEDICAL AND DENTAL APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BEMADE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS WHEREVER

POSSIBLE. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTENDSCHOOL PRIOR TO AND FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS

WHERE THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE

Reasons for Absence

Morning Registration is at 8.50amIF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL:

1. Contact the school 24 hour absence line on 01580 767048 or email the absenceline@homewood.kent.sch.uk.

2. Please contact us on the 1st day of absence leaving your child’s name, form group, reason for absence and expected date of return.

3. If your child is still unable to return to school on the expected day, please contact us again with a new expected date of return.

4. When your child returns to school, they must bring in a note of explanation - medical evidence (if needed / appropriate)

5. If a child is absent for more than five days through illness then medical evidence will need to be provided. This could take the form of a doctor’s letter, an appointment card or a regular prescription label.

DO THEY REALLY NEED TO MISS ANOTHER DAY?

What can happen with poor attendance?

Students will:-Not understand lessons

Fall behind with workAchieve less

Get poorer qualificationsLose friends

Lead to court action for their parents

School AttendanceIs 90% attendance good enough?

Sam is in Year 8His attendance rate is always around 90%. Sam and his parents

think this is pretty good!So, what does an attendance rate of 90% look like?

90% attendance means that he is absent for the equivalent of one half-day every week.

Absent half a day every week!

In year 7, Sam’s 90% attendance rate means that he has missed the equivalent of four whole weeks of lessons in the school year.

If Sam continues to attend for only 90% of the time then over five years he will miss the equivalent of about one half of a school

year.Half a school year of missed learning.

Research suggests that 17 days missed from school in Year 11 equates to a missed GCSE grade.

Should my child go to school today? Think twice.Everyday counts.Guidelines

MumpsChildren should be kept away from school for 5 days after the onset of swollen glands. They will be encouraged to wash their hands to prevent further spread

of infection.

Whooping CoughChildren should go back to school 5 days after starting antibiotics.

Non - infectious coughing may continue for some weeks.

Medicines in SchoolChildren can come to school even if they are taking medicines, as the school

nurse can keep them and dispense the medicine in school.Please make sure the bottle is labelled with your child’s name and how often

they should have it.Please discuss with the school nurse: 01580 764222 ext. 297

ConjunctivitisChildren can go to school, unless it is a severe case. They should beencouraged to wash their hands to prevent further spead of infection.

Measles, Chicken Pox and German MeaslesChildren should go back to school 4 days after the rash has started. Please let

the school nurse know, as pregnant members of staff may beaffected.

Headache, ear ache and stomach acheChildren with headache, ear ache or stomach ache can go to school, just let the staff know they have felt unwell. Give paracetamol and plenty of fluids to

drink. If headache, ear ache or stomach ache persists then seek medicaladvice.

Coughs and ColdsChildren should be given paracetamol, plenty of fluids to drink and can be sent

to school.If your child is asthmatic, remember they may need their blue inhaler more

often.

Sore Throat, Tonsilitis and Glandular FeverChildren should be given paracetamol, plenty of fluids to drink and can be sent

to school.

Diarrhoea and VomitingChildren can return to school 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or

vomiting.It is recommended not to go swimming for 2 weeks after the last episode.

Head LiceChildren can go to school with head lice but they must be treated for the

condition to prevent further spread. There is an expectation that parents will be treating their children and family members weekly by wet combing with a nit

comb and conditioner.

CONTACT OUR SCHOOL NURSE FOR FURTHER ADVICE.

ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITYGet into good habits!

Young people form habits very quickly. Please encourage the habit of regular and punctual attendance. Good punctuality means being in the

right place at the right time. Aim for your child to arrive at school at least 5 minutes early because students should be in session at 8.50am. Any child

who arrives late to school (after 8.50am) must sign in at the mainreception.

Excellent attendance and timekeeping will enablestudents to reach their full potential.

Let us helpSometimes young people get worried about going to school. This may be

for a variety of reasons. If you are worried about your child and his/her attendance then do not hesitate to contact the school. Your child’s form

tutor should be your first point of contact. You can contact them byphoning Discovery College.

What do I do if I want to take my child on holiday?It is expected that families do not arrange holidays during term time. Inexceptional circumstances it will be necessary for parents to put their request in writing to Mrs Lees, Principal.

What do percentage attendances mean?Students attending 90% of the time miss the equivalent of half a day each week.Students attending 80% of the time miss the equivalent of one day each week.Students who attend less than 80% are missing the equivalent of more than one day of their education each week. This will cause seriousdamage to their education and future career prospects.

Your child only has one chance for an effective education; please support us by ensuring that they are punctual and attend regularly.

Useful Questions and Answers

What happens if my child does notattend school regularly?

We will contact you to make you aware of your child’s attendance once it falls below 95%. If attendance continues to fall, you will be notified by letter. If there is still no improvement, you will be invited in for a meeting to discuss further support. If attendance continues to decline/not improve, we willconsider a range of options which would include the following:- Referral to the School Liaison Officer (SLO)- Penalty notice issued (you will have to pay a fine of £60 within 21 days or £120 within 28 days per child per parent)- Prosecution