Attendance and Punctuality 

Outstanding attendance and punctuality, to school and lessons, are vital if your child is to learn and achieve their best. Absences disrupt learning and it is very difficult to catch up on missed work. Parents/Carers have a legal duty to ensure their child attends school on time every day.

We expect all students to aim for at least 97% attendance. A student is considered persistently absent if their attendance falls below 90%. Although 90% may sound positive, this equates to approximately 19 days (around 114 lessons) missed across the year, which has a significant impact on progress. With six periods a day taught by specialist teachers, every lesson matters. Research shows that students with attendance below 90% achieve significantly lower GCSE outcomes than their peers.

Punctuality is equally important. Arriving late to school or lessons means missing key learning and reduces overall attendance. Developing good punctuality prepares students for the expectations of further education and the workplace; attendance and punctuality go hand in hand.

As a school we will ensure that:

• Students are registered accurately and efficiently in every lesson

• Attendance targets are set for individuals, tutor groups, year groups and the whole school

• Parents/Carers are contacted when absence is unknown or unauthorised and can track attendance via the Arbor app

• The attendance team intervenes where attendance or punctuality falls below expected levels

• Students are rewarded for strong or improving attendance

• Support is offered to students and families to promote good attendance

• A free breakfast and study spaces are available from 8.00am

Students will be encouraged to:

• Attend school every day and arrive on time

• Communicate with staff about any issues affecting attendance or punctuality

• Engage with support to improve attendance where needed

Parents/Carers are legally obliged to:

• Promote good attendance and punctuality

• Ensure their child attends unless they are seriously ill

• Inform the school on the first day of absence and each day thereafter

• Avoid taking holidays during term time.

The school and governors will not authorise term-time holidays. Unauthorised absence may result in penalty notices under Sections 444A and 444B of the Education Act 1996, and a student’s place at EGA may be at risk.