Medical Appointments

Medical Appointments and Attendance: Maximising Learning Time

At Cheam High School, we are committed to helping every student reach the 96% attendance threshold, which is widely recognised as the benchmark for strong academic progress. Every lesson missed is a missed opportunity to learn, and medical appointments are one of the most common causes of disrupted attendance.

 

The Impact of Absence: Why Every Hour Counts

Research from the Department for Education (DfE) consistently shows that students with the highest attendance levels achieve the best GCSE results.

• The '90% Trap': While 90% might sound like a good score in a test, in attendance terms, it means a student is missing one half-day of school every single week. Over a school year, this equates to four weeks of lost learning.
• Evidence: National data indicates that students who miss between 10% and 20% of school are significantly less likely to achieve 'Strong Passes' (Grade 5 or above) in English and Maths compared to their peers with 95%+ attendance.

 

Managing Appointments Effectively

We understand that some medical appointments - particularly specialists or hospital consultations - are unavoidable during school hours. However, the timing of these appointments is crucial to your child's attendance record.

 

1. The Importance of Registration Marks

The school day is split into two legal sessions: the Morning Session and the Afternoon Session.

• Morning Mark: Taken during tutor time (8:30 am).
• Afternoon Mark: Taken during Period 4.
• The Consequence: If a student is absent during these specific times, they lose the attendance mark for that entire half-day. This immediately drops their attendance for that week to 90%, even if they were present for most of the lessons.

 

2. Strategies for Success

To keep your child's attendance on track, we ask parents to follow these 'Best Practice' guidelines:

• The 'Register First' Rule: If an appointment is at 10:00 am, please bring your child to school for 8:30 am registration first. Signing out at the Main Office afterwards ensures they receive their morning mark and demonstrates that school is the priority.
• The 'Return to School' Rule: If an appointment is in the morning, students are expected to return to school as soon as it is over. Even attending the final two periods of the day makes a significant difference to their learning momentum.
• Late Afternoon Slots: Where possible, please request appointments after 2:30 pm. This ensures the student is present for the afternoon registration (Period 4) and only misses a small portion of the final lesson.

 

Evidence of Medical Appointments

To ensure an absence is authorised, the school requires evidence. This helps us maintain accurate records in line with local authority safeguarding audits. Acceptable forms of evidence include:

• A text message confirmation from a GP surgery or hospital.
• An appointment card or letter.
• A slip from the dental or medical practice receptionist.

Please Note: Without evidence, the school may be unable to authorise the absence, which contributes toward the threshold for a Fixed Penalty Notice.

 

Summary Table: Minimising Disruption

Appointment Time	Action Recommended	Attendance Impact
Early Morning	Attend registration at 8:30 am, then sign out.	Full Day Attendance Mark
Mid-Morning	Attend school, sign out, and return for P4.	Full Day Attendance Mark
Early Afternoon	Attend morning session, sign out for P4.	Half-Day Absence recorded
Late Afternoon	Stay for P4 registration, sign out at 2:45 pm.	Full Day Attendance Mark

 

Thank you for your continued support in helping your child stay in the classroom and achieve their full potential.