Please see our ‘Attendance Matters’ booklet linked below for information regarding student absence and the systems in place to support this. Highlights from the full document are also included on this page.
Attendance at School
Research has shown that regular and punctual attendance is an essential prerequisite to effective learning. Therefore, there is a direct link between regular attendance and high achievement.
When children are not in school, they are deprived of the educational opportunities and they are at much greater risk of becoming socially excluded and disadvantaged. If they are not in school, children may be at risk of becoming either the perpetrators, or the victims, of crime.
This information has been prepared to provide parents and students with information and guidance on the school’s attendance procedures.
We hope the information contained in this booklet will effectively support your child’s attendance at The Jo Richardson Community school.
If you ever have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Welfare and Attendance team on 0208 270 6222 – option 1.
Structure of the School Day
Students must be in school by 8:25am every day.
Please note that students are not allowed to go home for lunch or leave the school site until the end of the school day.
Information for Students
Remember;
| 1 morning absent from school | = 10% of the week |
| 1 afternoon absent from school | = 10% of the week |
| 1 day absent from school | = 20% of the week |
Days absent from school soon add up. Missing lessons makes it hard to catch up and you will have to work harder when you return to school.
- Arriving late to school or for a lesson puts you, the student, at a disadvantage.
- If a student arrives late to school, after the register has been taken, they will be issued a 20-minute detention with their Pastoral Assistant on the same day.
- Being late means a student will miss important information, notices and activities during Form time.
- When a student is late it means lessons will be interrupted affecting the learning of fellow students.
Categories of Attendance
The following is a guide to our expectations.
| Classed as | % | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 98-100% | Letter home and a certificate issued by the Pastoral Deputy |
| Average | 95-97% | Tutors start to monitor |
| Of Concern | 91-94% | Heads of Year monitor |
| Unsatisfactory | 90% and below | School Attendance Meeting (SAM) process activates. This is an escalating series of meetings with parents when no improvement is maintained. Parents may be cautioned with warning of legal action. |
If attendance continues to drop, legal action will be taken by the LA and the Governing Body will play an active role in meetings with the Headteacher.
What Happens if I am Absent from School?
At Jo Richardson Community School, our priority is the well-being and holistic development of our students. While our attendance policy emphasises regular attendance for educational and personal success, we understand that certain medical conditions or individual circumstances may significantly impact a student’s ability to attend school. Jo Richardson aims to be inclusive and accommodating, recognising situations that may be beyond the control of the student or their parents.
Jo Richardson strongly encourages open communication between parents and the school regarding any medical needs or circumstances that might affect attendance. Providing documented proof of diagnosed medical conditions helps us to better understand and effectively support a student’s needs.
It is important to note that, at Jo Richardson, we strive not to penalise students whose attendance is affected by diagnosed medical needs. Our Welfare and Pastoral Teams are dedicated to working with our families to provide necessary support, ensuring that circumstances beyond their control do not hinder their child/ren’s educational progress.
Jo Richardson acknowledges and celebrates all improvements made to a students’ attendance, aiming to recognise these achievements whenever possible. The welfare of our students is paramount, and our commitment to inclusivity remains integral to our approach in supporting every individual within our school community.