Attendance
HGSS has again been awarded for our attendance. This is the second term running where we have been in the top 25% of schools nationally; there are just under 3,000 secondary schools out of a total of 4,000 in the UK whose data is analysed by the FFT charity. This is a good validation of our attendance systems and we want to thank parents, staff and students for their efforts in helping us to achieve this.
Absence affects students' chances of gaining good grades at GCSE. If a student has more than 20 days absence a year, they will have reduced their chances of success in exams by 75%. Success in exams supports success in life. National Government statistics indicate that any student with 95% attendance or less will drop a full grade in examinations.
Attendance Matters
Attendance over One School Year
98% attendance = less than 4 days absent from school (up to 20 hours learning to catch up)
95% attendance = 10 days absent from school (50 hours of learning to catch up)
90% attendance = 4 weeks absent from school (100 hours of learning to catch up)
85% attendance = 5 ½ weeks absent from school (150 hours of learning to catch up)
80% attendance = 7 ½ weeks absent from school (200 hours of learning to catch up)
Attendance over 5 years (Years 7-11)
85-90% attendance = having about half a year off school
80% attendance = 38 weeks off school = one whole school year missed
≥96% attendance = likely to get 10 GCSE grades at 9-4.
95% attendance = likely to get 8 GCSE grades at 9-4.
85% attendance = likely to get 7 GCSE grades at 9-4.
80% attendance = likely to get 3 GCSE grades at 9-4.
In the case of absence/medical appointments, parents need to telephone the Attendance Office direct on 01494 719901 or email the school on attendance@holmer.org.uk
Absence procedures
First Day Absence:
Parents or carers must ring or email the school by 8am on 01494 719901 to advise of the student's absence, the reason, and give an indication of the length of the absence. The call or message will be recorded on our system.
Continuing Absence:
Parents or carers should inform the school daily of the student's ongoing absence. Medical and attendance staff will stay in touch to monitor recovery progression. In cases where a student begins to develop a pattern of absences or the absence is longer than expected, the school will try to resolve the problem with the parent or carer. If this is unsuccessful, the school will refer to the Education Welfare Officer.
Lateness and Medical Appointments:
Morning registration takes place at the start of school. It is expected that all students are on site and ready for registration by 8:50am. Students arriving after this time will receive a ‘late before registers close’ mark and a sanction, unless there is an acceptable explanation. Any student arriving after the close of registration at 8.55am must sign in with the Attendance Office on arrival. They will be marked as absent from the am registration and will have an unauthorised absence for the morning session unless there is an acceptable explanation.
We respectfully request that, wherever possible, medical appointments are made out of school hours so as not to impact students' education.
Please see our Attendance Policy on the Policy page.
