Our Attendance Vision

Attendance and punctuality is a priority at Whitworth Community High School. Students need to be in school every day so that they have access to the whole of the curriculum. Attendance also forms part of the wider safeguarding picture, as such, it is vital that attendance is tracked and monitored so that interventions can be put in place to support students and their families to sustain regular attendance in the future. We live by our motto "Climbing Higher" with a profound belief that every student, regardless of their background, deserves to reach their full potential; attendance is vital if this full potential is to be reached. We recognise that the climb is different for each individual and family, therefore, our unwavering commitment is to provide the bespoke support and guidance required by different families. 

Attendance is led by the Attendance Champion, who is also a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The Attendance Champion ensures that effective systems for tackling absence are maintained and makes sure they are followed by all staff. This is essential, as attendance is everyone’s responsibility, including form tutors who play a vital pastoral role and teaching staff who help students to catch up when they have gaps in their learning due to absence.

Attendance at Whitworth Community High School

At Whitworth Community High School, we believe that excellent attendance is essential for academic success, wellbeing, and future life chances. There is a clear link between high attendance and strong achievement, positive relationships, and successful transitions into further education and employment.

Our aim is to work in partnership with families to ensure every student attends school regularly, punctually, and safely, unless absence is unavoidable.

Our whole-school attendance target is 97%, although we encourage all students to aim for 100% attendance wherever possible.

Why Attendance Matters

• Every day of learning counts
• Absence disrupts learning and progress
• Poor attendance can affect confidence, friendships, and wellbeing
• Regular attendance helps students build routines, resilience, and independence

Recent research by the Department for Education states:

• Year 11 students with near-perfect attendance almost double the odds of achieving Grade 5+ in English/Maths compared to those with 90-95% attendance. 
• Persistently absent pupils in secondary school could earn £10,000 less at age 28 compared to pupils with near-perfect attendance. 
• For each additional day of absence between Years 7 to 11, the typical pupil could miss out on an average of £750 in future lifetime earnings. 

Parents and carers have a legal responsibility to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school regularly.

Reporting Absence – What Parents/Carers Must Do

If your child is going to be absent, parents/carers must inform the school as soon as possible and no later than 8:45 am on each day of absence.

Absence can be reported by:

• EduLink One
• Telephone: 01706 343218

Please ensure the school always has up-to-date contact details for parents/carers and emergency contacts.

If school does not receive notification of an absence:

• School will contact parents/carers on the first day of absence
• Emergency contacts may be contacted
• A home visit may be carried out as part of safeguarding procedures on the fourth day of absence

Absences with no explanation will be recorded as unauthorised.

Illness and Medical Absence

Absence may be authorised for genuine illness or unavoidable medical appointments.  Medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours wherever possible. Where this is not possible, evidence such as an appointment card or text message should be provided.  After three days of illness, medical evidence may be requested.

If you are unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, NHS guidance can help you decide.

Appointments During the School Day

If your child needs to leave school during the day:

• Parents/carers must inform the school in advance
• Evidence of the appointment must be provided
• Students must sign in and out via Reception

Students will not be allowed to leave the school site without prior agreement.

Religious Observance

The school will authorise one day per religious festival, for example, Eid.  Any additional requests must be made in advance and will only be authorised where exceptional circumstances apply.

Punctuality – Arriving on Time Matters

The school day begins at 8:45 am. Students are expected to be in school and ready to learn at this time.

• Morning register closes at 9:15 am
• Students arriving after 8:45 am must sign in at Reception
• Students arriving after the register has closed will receive an unauthorised absence mark

Being 10 minutes late every day is equivalent to missing two full weeks of school each year.

Persistent lateness will result in:

• Detentions
• Parent/carer meetings
• Further attendance interventions if needed

Persistent and Severe Absence

• Persistent Absence (PA): Is when a student’s attendance is  90% or below
• Severe Absence (SA): Is when a student’s attendance is 50% or below

Where attendance becomes a concern, we will:

• Contact parents/carers early
• Offer meetings and support
• Use attendance contracts and action plans
• Involve external agencies where appropriate

Our focus is always on support first, not sanctions.

Leave of Absence During Term Time

There is no automatic right to take holidays during term time.

Leave will only be authorised where:

• A request is made at least 10 school days in advance 
• The Headteacher agrees that exceptional circumstances apply

Leave taken without permission, or beyond what is agreed, will be recorded as unauthorised and may result in legal action.

Penalty Notices – Important Information (From 19 August 2024)

National changes to penalty notices came into effect on 19 August 2024.

Key points parents/carers should be aware of:

• Penalty notices are charged at £160 per parent per child
• A second penalty notice within 3 years is charged at £160, with no discount
• Penalty notices must be considered when a child has:
  • 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence
  • Within a rolling 10-school-week period
  • This can include lateness after the register closes
• A maximum of two penalty notices can be issued per child within a rolling 3-year period
• Further offences may lead to prosecution or other legal interventions

In some cases, parents/carers may be issued with a Notice to Improve, giving a final opportunity to engage with support before a penalty notice is issued.

Supporting Students Who Struggle to Attend

If your child is reluctant to attend school:

• Please contact us as early as possible
• We will work with you and your child to understand the reasons
• Support may include school-based strategies, early help, or external agency involvement

We believe that every child has a right to full-time education, and we are committed to helping remove barriers to attendance.

Who to Contact About Attendance

• Attendance Office - Mrs S Jackson & Mrs J Whitworth 
  • attendance@whitworth.lancs.sch.uk 
• Attendance Manager - Mr J Shepherd 
  • j.shepherd@whitworth.lancs.sch.uk 
• Attendance Champion - Mr A Kewin, Deputy Headteacher 
  • a.kewin@whitworth.lancs.sch.uk 

Telephone: 01706 343218