Supporting your child’s attendance
Attendance and punctuality is one of our school priorities here at Middlewich High School.
Excellent attendance and punctuality is proven to be a substantial and fundamental factor in every student’s chances of achieving success in school. Regular and punctual attendance not only ensures the continuity of and access to substantive teaching and learning, but minimises disruption to individual lessons and collective programmes of study.
If a student does not attend school or is not taking part in an approved educational activity, they are classed as absent from school. This means that if your child is off school for any reason, even if they are ill or have medical permission to be off school, they are classed as absent.
Less than 95% attendance every year in school equals one GCSE grade dropped on average. Additionally, this is useful preparation for the progression into the workplace, where an absence rate of 5% or above would be considered a cause for concern.
At Middlewich High School, attendance is recorded electronically each morning and afternoon, and at the start of each lesson. Parents can view their child’s attendance record for lessons via the Parental Portal.
Accurate registration information provides an early warning system for use in intervention and support for those students and families for whom poor attendance is an emerging or ongoing problem.
We have a legal responsibility to complete formal registrations for the morning and afternoon session of school, in order to meet statutory responsibilities to parents/carers and other agencies in providing accurate punctuality information about individual students and school cohorts.
Leave of Absence from School
The school operates a first day response system. Parents should notify the school on the first morning of the absence by contacting the Attendance Office directly (01606 537670 Option 1) to explain the absence reason. We kindly request you do this before the start of the school day at 8:40am.
If no notification is received parents will be contacted at home or at work to ascertain the reason for the absence. When a student returns to school he or she should have a written explanation of absence recorded in their planner. If a long absence is anticipated it is helpful if a note is sent as early as possible.
Students leaving school for any reason during lesson time are required to sign out with the reception on production of a note or appointment card justifying the absence.
Holidays
Parents are urged not to arrange family holidays in term time. This practice is very disruptive to learning and should be avoided at all costs with secondary aged children.
Under Government guidance, unless there are exceptional circumstances, holiday requests will not be approved or authorised. If you choose to take an unauthorised holiday you may be issued by the Local Authority with a Fixed Penalty Notice. Please see our Attendance Policy for more information.
For any exceptional requests please complete our Absence Request Form (which can be downloaded below) and return to admin@mhs.school
Absence Request Form
Recognition of Excellence
It is expected that students aim for 100% attendance and half-termly rewards are in place to recognise excellence in attendance. All students who attain 100% for their academic year are recognised with a pride badge for attendance and a voucher.