Attendance
Attending school every day is vitally important to help pupils to get the most out of school. Excellent attendance will ensure pupils can achieve all of their goals and aspirations. Missed days equal missed learning opportunities and there is a clear link between levels of attendance and academic achievement. Research shows that 17.5 missed days in school can reduce GCSE grades by one grade.
We have a robust system of both monitoring and rewarding good attendance. This year, we will be strengthening our already firm approach on attendance and would appreciate your support on this matter.
Attendance is a focus in form times each week and your child’s form tutor will have regular discussions with them, and their form class as a whole, about their attendance. There are many rewards available to acknowledge those students and tutor groups who have good attendance and who have demonstrated improvements in attendance.
We recognise that there may occasionally be times when pupils are unwell and will not be able to attend school. If this happens please ensure school is contacted on each day of absence by either using the ‘Classcharts App’, by contacting the main office on 01244 570588 and leaving a message or by speaking directly to reception staff.
It is Darland High School policy not to authorise holidays during the school term. Should parents persist in taking a child on holiday when the application for this has been refused by the school, the absence will be marked ‘unauthorised’ and may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice issued by the Local Authority.
Punctuality
Punctuality is equally important, both in terms of arriving at school and being on time for lessons. It shows pupils are ready to learn. Tutor time starts at 8:45am and registration marks for the morning will be taken during tutor time. Afternoon registration mark will take place in period 4 straight after lunch at 1:00pm. If pupils are late to registration or lessons then form tutors or teachers will mark pupils as late on the register. Pupils who are late, with no good reason, will be sanctioned in accordance with our behaviour policy.
Please remind your son/daughter that ALL students are expected to be on the school site by no later than 8:40 a.m. and to be in their Form Room by 8:45 a.m. If your child is late to school, they must sign in at the main reception. Continued lateness will be treated as absence from school and parents/carers may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice by the Local Authority.
Signing Out
Illness during the school day
We do not encourage pupils to contact parents directly asking to be collected, but instead to follow the school process. If you are contacted directly by your child requesting to be collected from school, please can you contact reception before coming to school.
For safeguarding reasons, a pupil must never leave the school site without prior notification or go home without permission from a member of staff. They must always sign out at the school office.
Appointments during the school day
For any pre-planned appointments or absences, school needs to be notified in advance. If students have appointments during the school day, then, for safeguarding purposes, an adult must come into the school reception to collect the student and sign them out. Likewise, on returning from appointments, an adult must accompany the child to reception and sign them back in to the school. Appointment cards/letters/slips should be brought to reception in advance or otherwise uploaded to Classcharts.
We ask parents to try to make medical and dental appointments for the end of the school day where possible.
May we thank you in advance for your support with ensuring your child strives to maintain good attendance in order to maximise their learning opportunities in school.