ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

If your child is not coming into school, please ensure a telephone call is made to the Student Services team:

01480 375700

followed by ext:

5766 for Y7 Mrs N Darbyshire

transition@hinchbk.cambs.sch.uk

5825 for Yrs 8 - 11 Mrs S McDonald

smc@hinchbk.cambs.sch.uk

Every morning they are absent or if they have a Doctor or Dentist appointment at the beginning of the school day.

It is a Legal requirement that ALL students register with their Form Tutor at 8.45 a.m. and in their Period 5 lesson.

If a student is late to school it is essential that they sign in with the GSA for their year group (see above).

They must also sign out with the GSA if they have to leave school at any time, for any reason. A note must be provided by a parent/carer in both instances.

We use an electronic Attendance system which enables us to register and monitor each student, each lesson.

A First Day Response policy operates where we try to contact parents/carers by telephone on the first day of students’ absence if there is no known reason for them to be absent from school.

Holidays are granted during term-time only in extenuating circumstances, in line with current DFES guidelines.

Regular meetings take place between the Head of Year and the Education and Welfare Officer to discuss matters relating to students’ attendance.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

EVERY CHILD MATTERS

REMEMBER EVERY DAY MISSED - IS AN OPPORTUNITY MISSED

Be in School - Attend Registration and Lessons promptly

At Hinchingbrooke we are committed to raising the profile of good attendance

Good attendance improves peer relationships, allows students to achieve their potential and therefore contributes positively to the school community

Students who are in school regularly:

* Make and keep friendships

* Feel part of the school community

* Are aware of what is going on

* Keep up to date with work

* Gain confidence

* Reach potential

Students who are away from school regularly:

* Become isolated from their peer groups

* Feel out of touch with school life

* Fall behind with work

* Lack confidence

* Fail to achieve potential

Those who truant get into trouble at home, in school, with the Education Welfare Service and, sometimes, even with the Police

EDUCATION WELFARE OFFICER

Education Welfare is part of the Local Education Authority and is responsible for ensuring children of school age attend school regularly. In some cases where no other intervention has been successful the Education Welfare Officer may become involved to try to improve a student’s attendance. Meetings are held weekly to devise a plan and discuss strategies to work towards more consistent attendance, but when a student is not attending school regularly, Fixed Penalty Notices may be issued against a Parent/Carer. This includes issues of truancy.

Hinchingbrooke School supports a ‘Fast Track to Prosecution’ Policy in cases where there is no improvement in attendance over a 12 week period.Hinchingbrooke School and the Education Welfare Officer take all issues of truancy very seriously.