Attendance and Reporting Absence

We recognise that pupils want to be here and want to learn. Pupils with good attendance are more likely to benefit from education, achieve better examination results and are less likely to miss out on the multitude of experiences that Dove House School Academy provides. Similarly, irregular or poor attendance at school can lead to students underachieving and underperforming in their examinations, coursework and work placements and, therefore, will have a detrimental effect on their futures. Absence from school can be disruptive not only for the individual pupil but also for the pupil’s whole class. Absences should be kept to a minimum.

Parents are responsible in law for ensuring that their child/children attend and stay at school. Parents should inform the school as soon as possible of the reason for any absence. If a child is absent and no message has been received then the office administrator will phone the parents/carers to find out why.

The Pastoral team has a duty to check school registers and will follow up irregular or persistent absence for which there has been no satisfactory explanation.

Registers will be marked in school giving the reason for absence e.g. illness or medical appointments.

Where you know in advance that your child will be absent from school (e.g. doctors or dental appointment) it would be helpful to let us know before the date in question.

Government regulations, implemented from 1^st September 2013, state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time (e.g. family holidays) unless there are ‘exceptional circumstances’. It is advisable to let the school know if you are taking your child out of school, e.g. on holiday, to alleviate any concerns about the wellbeing and safety of the child.

Where no notification has been received, or the reason is unjustified then the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Unauthorised absences are published nationwide and include truanting. It is important to note that the regulations state that absences can be authorised only by the school, not by the parents.

The quickest way to report your child’s absence is to call the school on 01256 351555.

You need to give your child’s name and reason for absence.

For each day of absence you must call the school to confirm their absence.  If absence is long term due to an operation for example please tell us of expected return date.