Attendance and Absence
Moment’s matter. Attendance counts. Every student. Every day.
Good attendance leads to good progress and achievement. Always aim for 100% attendance.
Attendance and Absence
At North Bromsgrove High School, we expect every student to achieve a minimum attendance rate of 96% each academic year. We believe that every school day provides valuable learning experiences, opportunities for personal growth, and time to build positive relationships within our school community.
Our mantra, “Moments Matter, Attendance Counts,” reflects the importance of being present every day and making the most of every opportunity.
We recognise that regular attendance is fundamental to success in school and plays a vital role in students' learning, wellbeing, and future outcomes. Our staff work closely with students and their families to promote excellent attendance and punctuality, providing support where needed to ensure that every student can fully engage with their education.
By working in partnership with parents, carers, and students, we aim to create a culture where attendance is valued and every student is given the best possible chance to succeed.
Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that their child attends school every day and arrives punctually. The following Department for Education guidance provides useful information for both parents and schools on improving attendance: Working Together To Improve School Attendance
In most cases, children with mild respiratory illnesses should still attend school. This includes common cold symptoms such as a minor cough, runny nose, or sore throat. If you are unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, please visit the NHS guidance: Is my child too ill for school? – NHS
Holidays should only be taken during official school holiday periods. In line with Department for Education guidance.Head Teachers are no longer permitted to authorise absence for holidays taken during term time. They are permitted to grant leave only in exceptional circumstances.
Reporting an absence
If a student is unwell and unable to attend school, parents/carers must inform the school before 8.45am on each day of absence.
At North Bromsgrove High School, we work closely with families to ensure that attendance is monitored carefully and that students receive the support they need. It is important that all absences are reported promptly and accurately.
Parents/carers can report an absence in the following ways:
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By telephone: 01527 872375 and select Option 1 for Year 9, 10, 11 students. Option 2 for Sixth Form.
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Via the Arbor Parent App
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By email for Year 9,10,11: attendance@northbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
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By email for Sixth form: sixthformattendance@northbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
When contacting the school, please provide the following information:
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Parent/carer’s first name and surname
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Student’s first name and surname
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Student’s tutor group
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Nature of the illness
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Approximate length of absence, where possible
Authorised Absence
An authorised absence is an absence for which the school has either granted approval in advance or accepted the explanation provided by a parent/carer as a valid reason for the student's absence.
Unauthorised Absence
An unauthorised absence occurs when the school is not satisfied with the reason given for the absence, or when no explanation has been provided. Unauthorised absences may be subject to further investigation and intervention.
Persistent Absence
A student is considered persistently absent when their attendance falls below 90%. At this stage, the school will work closely with the student and their family to improve attendance. Where sufficient improvement is not achieved, referrals may be made to the relevant Local Authority Attendance Service. This may lead to the implementation of a formal attendance plan and, where appropriate, legal intervention, including the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notice to parent(s)/carer(s).
Fines
Under the national rules, all schools are required to consider a fine when a child has missed 10 or more sessions (5 days) for unauthorised reasons.
Punctuality
At North Bromsgrove High School, we believe that “Moments Matter, Attendance Counts”, and arriving on time is an important part of ensuring students are ready to learn and succeed each day.
Students are expected to arrive at school on time and be ready for Roll Call at 8:45am. Information about the school day can be found in the Times of the school day guide.
Students must arrive punctually and proceed directly to Roll Call. Any student who arrives after Roll Call without a valid reason will be signed in by the Pastoral Team and issued with a detention for lateness. Late arrival to lessons and truancy disrupt learning and will result in appropriate sanctions.
Students who arrive after 9.20am without an acceptable reason will be recorded as having an unauthorised absence. This results in a half-day absence being recorded on their attendance record, as they will have missed their morning registration mark. This is in line with government guidance.
Persistent lateness is taken seriously. Students who accumulate 10 or more unauthorised late marks may be referred for further attendance intervention, which could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued in accordance with government guidance.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please contact the Attendance Team at:attendance@northbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
Appointments and Signing Out
Any student who needs to leave the school site during the school day, for any reason, must provide a note or message from their parent/carer and sign out at the Main Reception before leaving the premises.
Where possible, we ask that medical appointments are arranged outside of school hours. However, if a student does need to attend an appointment during the school day, they must provide evidence of the appointment, such as a doctor’s or dentist’s note, appointment card, or confirmation text/email.
Students are expected to return to school as soon as possible following their appointment and must sign back in at the Main Reception on their return.
Illness and Accidents
If a student feels unwell during break or lunchtime, they should report to their Head of Year. If they become unwell during a lesson, they must inform the member of staff teaching them so that appropriate support can be provided and, where possible, symptoms can be managed in school.
If a student is too unwell to remain in lessons, the Head of Year will contact a parent/carer. Students should not contact parents/carers directly to arrange collection before support has been provided by school staff.
While the school has a number of qualified first aiders available to respond to emergencies, we do not have a school nurse based on site. Students who report feeling unwell will be assessed appropriately and, where necessary, parents/carers will be contacted or emergency services called.
Under no circumstances should a student leave a lesson or the school site without authorised permission and without following the correct signing out procedures.
Monitoring Attendance
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving attendance and ensuring the best possible outcomes for all students, North Bromsgrove High School has introduced a four-stage attendance monitoring process. This graduated approach is designed to provide early support, promote positive attendance habits, and improve attendance across the school community.
As you will already be aware, we expect students to attend school consistently and punctually. Regular attendance not only supports academic achievement, but also helps students develop the routines, resilience, and responsibility that are essential life skills both now and in the future.
Where a student’s attendance falls below an expected level, parents/carers may receive communication and support from our attendance partner, A Star Attendance Solutions.
Please see the staged attendance approach outlined below:
How Can Parents and Carers Support Good Attendance?
Parents and carers play a key role in promoting good attendance and punctuality. You can support your child by:
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Establishing consistent bedtime and morning routines
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Ensuring your child has breakfast and arrives at school on time
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Preparing school equipment, homework, and lunch the night before
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Booking medical and dental appointments outside school hours wherever possible
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Avoiding holidays during term time unless exceptional circumstances apply
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Contacting the school if your child is reluctant to attend or if attendance concerns arise
Regular attendance is closely linked to academic success, wellbeing, and future opportunities. By working together, families and the school can help every student achieve their full potential.