Reviewed 2014
To be Reviewed 2016
COMMUNITY - PUNCTUALITY AND ATTENDANCE POLICY
Rationale:It is a legal requirement that all children attend school during its hours of operation unless there is a valid reason for not doing so. Where lateness and absenteeism occur for an invalid reason, this can have an adverse effect on the teaching and learning that takes place and ultimately on a student’s achievement. It is the responsibility of the College to have an operational policy that reduces such lateness and absenteeism thus maximising the educational opportunities of our students.
Aim:To have a clearly defined set of procedures detailing individual staff responsibilities which support a culture of student and parental accountability for punctuality and attendance.
1.0Validating Absences
1.1Attendance Officer
- An SMS will generate daily at 11:00am for all unexplained absences.
- An email will be sent the following day, if no response from SMS.
- A letter will be sent at the end of the month if there are still unexplained absences and every month thereafter until they are all explained.
- At the end of the process all absences should be validated.
2.0Attendance Pattern Follow-Up - Primary Responsibility of Head of Year
2.1Heads of Year
Heads of Year will be able to access the cumulative attendance data on SEQTA. It will include the number of absence records due to lateness, explained absence, unexplained absence, instep and excursions.
Heads of Year will identify those students who need follow-up. Follow-up needs to be with students and by phone call to parents. If poor attendance continues, the matter is to be forwarded to Deputy of Pastoral Care. Information regarding these follow-ups will be emailed to the Attendance officer, Deputy of Pastoral Care and Vice-Principal and recorded on SEQTA.
2.2Extreme Absence
Deputy of Pastoral Care will report cases of extreme absence – students 16 years old and over – to the Participation Team.
3.0Minimising Lateness
3.1Any student who arrives at school after 8.35am (after Homeroom) must present to student reception and obtain a late note. If students are late to Homeroom, the Homeroom tutor is required to make a late entry in SEQTA.
3.2The cut off time for late to class is 5 minutes. This needs to be recorded on SEQTA.
3.3The cut off time for teachers to have the role completed on SEQTA is 10 minutes into the period.
4.0Long and Expected Absences
4.1Parents need to contact the Attendance Officer and Head of Year if a student is to be away for an extended period due to medical reasons. Head of Year will arrange for work to be provided by teachers.
4.2Parents need to get the Principal’s permission for long absences due to holidays and will have to complete a request form. It is the student’s responsibility to approach the teachers for work to be provided while away. If permission is granted, the Attendance Officer and Head of Year will be notified.