Attendance

Reporting Absence on the DayPlanned Absence RequestMedical AppointmentsTraveller AbsenceShort Term Use of Medication

At Chertsey High School we have always taken a very straightforward view when it comes to attendance:

We expect students to be in school every day, barring serious illness or accident, and we do not permit holidays during term time.

We do recognise, however, that a student’s absence due to an illness or a medical appointment can be unavoidable. Parents must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence – for example, if their child is unable to attend due to ill health – as soon as possible.

We encourage parents to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the student should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary. the school will not authorise more absence than is required to attend the appointment.

All appointments need to be reported to our Attendance Officer 24 hours in advance. Please remember to write a note in your child’s school planner to confirm the absence in order for the class teacher to release your child from their lesson to go to their appointment.

All students must sign in and out of school reception for health and safety purposes.

Remember to give the full name of your child, their year group, the reason for absence and when they are expected back at school.

If we do not receive a reason for absence, we will send a truancy text.

Attendance Infographic

 

School attendance and the law

Parents and carers should be aware that the law enforces the position regarding holidays. The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, which became law on 1st September 2013, state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Headteacher should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted.

In accordance with the above regulations, requests for leave of absence will be treated sympathetically, but only in exceptional circumstances can they be approved. The policy of Surrey County Council (to which Chertsey High School has agreed) states that parents who take their child out of school for five days or more during term time, without the authority of the Headteacher, will be liable to receive a penalty notice. Penalty notices will be issued by the Local Authority, and are issued separately to each parent per child absent.

The penalty is £60 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice, rising to £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days of receipt of the notice. If the penalty is not paid in full by the end of the 28-day period the Local Authority must prosecute the recipient for failing to ensure regular school attendance under section 444 Education Act 1996.

Please be aware that each parent is liable to receive a Penalty Notice for each child who incurs unauthorised absences. For example, if there are two parents and one child, each parent will receive one Penalty Notice. If there are two parents and two children incurring unauthorized absences, each parent will receive two Penalty Notices, which in this case would amount to £120 each if paid within 21 days.

Click Here To Download Our Attendance and Absence Policy

Attendance-and-absence-policy.pdf

Team who oversee attendance:

Name  Role Email Address
Miss Hickmott Year 7 & 8 Co-ordinator hickmottc@chertseyhighschool.co.uk
Mrs Clark Year 9,10 & 11 Co-ordinator clarkj@chertseyhighschool.co.uk
Mrs Howard Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead & Lighthouse Lead howardk@chertseyhighschool.co.uk
Dr Mercone Designated Safeguarding Lead & Assistant Headteacher merconed@chertseyhighschool.co.uk
Mrs Edwards Attendance Link Governor clerk@chertseyhighchool.co.uk

 

Why Attendance is Important

As a school, we place a high priority on attendance as it has a marked impact on learning and academic achievement.

Attendance

Please see the table below explaining the impact of attendance on lessons missed.

Attendance

Days missed

Lessons missed

100%

0 days missed

0 lessons missed

95%

9.5 days of absence
Almost two weeks of learning missed

57 lessons missed

90%

19 days of absence
3 weeks and 4 days of learning missed

114 lessons missed

85%

28.5 days missed
5 weeks and 3.5 days of learning missed

171 lessons missed

80%

38 days of absence
7 weeks and 3 days of learning missed
This is the equivalent of an entire half-term

228 lessons missed

For our GCSE students, one week’s absence means that they miss 4 English lessons and 4 Maths lessons; these subjects equate to three GCSE qualifications.

*These calculations are approximate based on a full 190 days of the academic year for years 7-10. A student’s individual timetable may vary and internal or external school events will have an impact.

We do recognise, however, that a student’s absence due to an illness or a medical appointment can be unavoidable.

Parents must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence – for example, if their child is unable to attend due to ill health – as soon as possible.

We encourage parents to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the student should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary. the school will not authorise more absence than is required to attend the appointment.

School
Ambassadors

Ms Lalli

Ms Lalli

Assistant Headteacher
Students are polite, respectful and show curiosity to learn. We support learning, enabling students to reach their full potential.   
Student

Student

Year 7
I felt welcomed by my tutor, Head of Year and Assistant Headteacher when I joined from my primary school.
Student

Student

Year 11
This is more than a school, this is our CHS Family!
Mr Ball

Mr Ball

PE Teacher
I am proud to teach at a school that values and loves every child for who they are. Here at Chertsey High School we look to develop children holistically and I couldn't imagine a better place to do it.
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