At Keswick School we work hard to ensure that all our students achieve outstanding levels of attendance which in turn supports a high level of educational achievement.  Encouraging regular attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success both in school and life.   

Students who attend school regularly also learn to develop important social skills, friendships and are significantly more likely to leave school with good qualifications.  

At Keswick School we strive to promote all our students to achieve an attendance of 95% and above and encourage wherever possible students to attend on time, everyday.  If students achieve these levels of attendance they will be praised and this will be regularly communicated to parents/carers.  However, should a student's attendance drop below this level it will be closely monitored and contact home will be made regarding reasons behind the absence.

Keswick School remains committed to working in partnership with our families and would actively encourage parents/carers to get in contact with staff if you have any concerns regarding your child's attendance at school.

Types of Absence 

Every absence has to be classified by Keswick School as authorised or unauthorised.  Absences are coded as authorised where reasons provided are considered valid and unauthorised where no explanations or unacceptable reasons are given.

Types of absence that are likely to be authorised are illness or emergencies. Medical or dental appointments will be authorised although these should be organised outside of school hours wherever possible.  Medical evidence may also be required i.e. copies of medical letter appointments, cards, text message reminders.  Examples of absences which the school is unlikely to authorise can include:

• Shopping trips
• Care for family members
• Holidays taken in term time (including long weekends) 
• Social visits eg to theme parks/concerts
• Visiting family or friends
• Parental illness
• Travelling to non-school related evening or weekend events
• Absences where no specific reason is provided

How to Report an Absence 

Parents/carers are expected to notify school on the first day if their child is unable to attend for any unavoidable reason, such as illness.  Parents are requested to inform the school before 9.00am if their child is too unwell to attend school;

• by edulink
• telephone reception on 017687 72605 select the “student absence” option and leave a message giving your child's full name, form group and reason for absence.

In the event of an emergency during the school day please contact the main school reception 017687 72605 and speak to a member of the Reception Team.

If the school does not receive notification, it will in the first instance send out an Edulink reminder followed by a telephone call on the first day of absence to try to ascertain the reason for absence.  A record of attendance is kept for the whole of your child's school life and will be used when references are requested by prospective universities, colleges and employers.

Late Arrival and Early Departure

The School day begins at 8.50am with form/registration. It is recommended that students arrive at school by 8.45am.  If a student arrives late to school they must sign in at pupil reception. It is imperative that this happens to allow the student to be added to the school emergency evacuation procedure.  Students arriving to school after 8.50am will be recorded as late and any student arriving from 9.15am will be recorded as “unauthorised” and classed as absent unless school has previously been informed that the student has an appointment etc.

Any students leaving before the end of the end of the school day for any reason must sign out at pupil reception before leaving.  Students will only be permitted to leave early if the school has previously been advised by a parent using;

• Edulink
• Telephone call - 017687 72605
• Letter or signed note from a parent/carer explaining the reasons.

Leave of Absence/Holidays 

As part of the Government drive to raise attendance because of the  strong links to educational achievement there has been a change to the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) regulations 2006 in that the word “ holiday” has been removed.

Parents and Carers of students at Keswick School will therefore understand that there is no entitlement to holidays during term time and such absences can only be authorised in a limited number of “exceptional circumstances”

• The Headtecher may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances
• The Headteacher makes the decision whether the leave of absence is granted or not.
• When requesting a Leave of Absence, Parents/Carers are asked to make clear how the circumstances of the request are “exceptional” 
• Leave of Absence must be requested using the application form for “Leave in exceptional circumstances “ 
• It the request for the leave of absence is not granted the student's absence will be recorded as “unauthorised “

All unauthorised absences including holidays that have not been authorised by the Headtacher, are accumulated and parents who fail to ensure regular attendance for their children at school may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

From September 2024 the amount is £80 if paid within 21 days and £160 if paid between 21 and 28 days.  Failure to pay a penalty notice will result in prosecution except in limited circumstances.
 

Leave for Exceptional Circumstances Form (Word)

Leave for Exceptional Circumstances Form (PDF)