Attendance & Absence

Good attendance is important to enable each child to achieve their best in their education. Every single day that a child is absent from school equates to a day of lost learning.

This is why it is important that all students attend every day to school. We work closely with students and parents to support attendance in school. Where necessary we will refer to the Wandsworth Educational Welfare Service for further support.

School starts at 8.35am each day for pupils and finishes at 3pm from Monday-Thursday with a 2.10pm finish on Fridays.  Extra curricular clubs and activities take place before school, at lunchtime and after school.

Responsibilities of pupils:

  • Attend every day unless they are ill or have an authorised absence.
  • Arrive in school on time.
  • Go to registrations and lessons on time.
  • Take responsibility for registering at Student Services if they are late or at Reception if leaving the site during school hours.
  • Provide evidence following absence or appointments.

Responsibilities of Parents / Carers:

Ensuring your child’s regular attendance at school is a parent / carer’s legal responsibility (section 444 of the 1996 Education Act) and permitting unauthorised absence from school creates an offence in law.

Parents / carers will:

  • Inform the school every day of absence
  • Discuss with the Head of Year any planned absences well in advance.
  • Support the school with their child in aiming for 100% attendance each year.
  • Make sure any absence is accounted for by phoning the school on 0207 924 8310 early in the morning
  • Avoid taking the child out for non-urgent medical or dental appointments.
  • Only request leave of absence if it is for an exceptional circumstance. Requests must be made in writing to the Headteacher. The school will not approve holidays in term time.

Parental notes to confirm legitimate absence must be provided promptly on your child’s return to school.

In cases of prolonged illness or disability, a medical certificate or other evidence from the doctor may be required.

If your child attends school and feels unwell during the day the school will contact you to arrange collection.