Attendance and Punctuality
At Cheam High School, we are committed to providing an education of the highest quality. For students to access this, consistent attendance is essential. Research consistently demonstrates a direct correlation between high attendance and academic success; students with no absence are 1.3 times more likely to achieve Grade 5 or above in English and Mathematics than those who miss just 5% of school.
We advocate for 100% attendance. While we recognise the challenges posed in a post-pandemic landscape, we maintain that every day in school is a vital opportunity for social development and academic progress.
Understanding Attendance Levels: The Impact of Absence
Unlike examination results, an attendance figure of 90% is not a 'pass'. In a school context, 90% attendance is categorised by the DfE as Persistent Absence.
| Attendance Rate | Status | Impact on Learning |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | Excellent | Best chance of academic success and social integration. |
| 98% | Very Good | Less than 4 days missed per year. |
| 96% | Good | The national expected minimum; equates to 8 days missed. |
| 90% | Persistent Absence | 19 days missed per year. Equivalent to half a year of education lost over 5 years. |
| 80% | Severe Absence | 1 day missed per week. Equivalent to a full year of education lost over 5 years. |
Why Attendance Matters
Research indicates that regular attendance is a key driver for:
- Academic Attainment: Higher retention of core concepts and better performance in terminal exams.
- Social & Emotional Wellbeing: Sustained friendships and a sense of belonging within the school community.
- Future Readiness: Developing the reliability and 'soft skills' prioritised by employers and universities.
- Continuity: Reducing the cognitive load required to 'catch up' on missed sequential learning.
Our Proactive Support Framework
Following the DfE 'Support First' model, Cheam High School employs a tiered approach to encourage attendance:
- Culture and Celebration: We use inter-tutor competitions and individual rewards to celebrate those meeting or exceeding their targets.
- Live Monitoring: Our computerised registration system tracks every lesson. Parents receive real-time data to ensure transparency.
- Early Intervention: Our Attendance Officer, Student Engagement Officer and Education Welfare Officer work closely with families where attendance dips below 95%, identifying barriers and creating bespoke support plans.
- Automated Safeguarding: An automated system notifies parents immediately of any unexpected absence or lateness, ensuring student safety and accurate record-keeping.
Roles and Responsibilities
The School’s Commitment:
- Maintain an environment where students feel safe, valued, and eager to learn.
- Accurately record and monitor attendance twice daily (am and pm sessions).
- Communicate concerns early and work collaboratively with parents to remove barriers to attendance.
The Parent/Carer’s Role:
- Ensure your child arrives punctually for the start of the school day.
- Schedule medical and dental appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
- Provide evidence of any medical or dental appointments.
- Contact the school by 8:30 am on the first day of any unavoidable absence.
- Advocate for the importance of school and avoid taking holidays during term-time.
Authorised vs. Unauthorised Absence
The Headteacher has the statutory power to decide whether an absence is authorised.
- Authorised Absence: Granted for unavoidable circumstances such as illness, emergency medical treatment, or religious observance (as defined by the DfE).
- Unauthorised Absence: This includes shopping trips, birthdays, looking after siblings, or arriving after the register closes at 9:15 am.
Term-Time Holidays & Legal Sanctions
In line with London Borough of Sutton guidelines and national legislation, the school cannot authorise 'Leave of Absence' for holidays.
Important Notice: Under the National Framework, if a child has 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence, the school will refer the matter to the Local Authority. This may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice. As of August 2024, these are charged at £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 thereafter. A second fine within three years is charged at a flat rate of £160.
Support and Guidance
We understand that some students face genuine barriers to attendance, including health or anxiety. We urge parents to contact their child’s Year Team or our Attendance Team as soon as difficulties emerge, so we can provide support before the situation escalates.
The full Cheam High School Attendance and Punctuality Policy document can be found here.