The importance of good

Attendance

Central to raising standards in education and ensuring all pupils can fulfil their potential is an assumption so widely understood that it is insufficiently stated – pupils need to attend school regularly to benefit from their education. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind. Children with poor attendance tend to achieve less in both primary and secondary school.

Department for EducationSchool Attendance

Attendance

If a student is going to be absent from school, a parent or carer must contact the school before 8:30am on the day of the absence, and any subsequent days. The easiest way to do this is to email the Attendance Officer on absence@eastbarnetschool.com or to complete our online absence form (below). Parents/Carers may also ring the school on 020 8344 2100 and follow the instructions to leave a message, although this can take longer at busier times. If a student is absent for more than a few days then medical evidence will be required (labels from medication prescribed is acceptable) for our records.

Excellent Attendance
100%
Good Attendance
96% - 99%
Requires Improvement
91% - 95%
Cause for Concern
85% - 90%

Punctuality

Punctuality is an important part of self-discipline and is essential for good time management. Students must ensure they are in the appropriate classroom no later than the times shown on their timetable. Please encourage your child to be on time. They should arrive at school no later than 8.40am for registration at 8.45am. Students arriving late will be given a late detention at lunchtime on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are students rewarded for good attendance?

At EBS we commend students who achieve 100% attendance each term. These students are awarded a badge and certificate which automatically enters them in the termly prize draw.

What happens if my child is late?

Punctuality is a vital life skill that will serve students well in the future. We expect students to be at the gate at 8:40am for school to start at 8:45am. Students who arrive late to school will receive a late detention at lunch time the next day. The length of the detention is dependent on their Year Group and how late they are. Persistent lateness will be investigated by our Educational Welfare Officer (EWO).

Can I make appointments for my child during school time?

Appointments should be made during the school holidays or after school. If a student must attend an appointment which cannot be made outside of school hours, then the student may only be excused from lessons for the duration of the appointment and should be at school before and return immediately afterwards. Every student wishing to leave school must provide a letter from either the place of appointment or a note from a parent/carer at least 24 hours before, in order to be excused from lessons. This can be emailed directly to the Attendance Officer via absence@eastbarnetschool.com.

Students will be required to sign out before they leave and back in at the Student Window when they return.

What happens if my child is caught truanting?

Truanting from lessons is not acceptable at East Barnet School. We have internal alert systems in place for students who are missing from lessons and regular patrols by members of the Senior Leadership Team. Students who truant will spend time in the Internal Exclusion Centre (IEC) and parents/carers will be contacted. Persistent truanting may result in suspension or exclusion.

What are the processes for persistent absence?

Students whose attendance falls below the school average (currently 96%) will be monitored closely by the Head of Year and Attendance Officer. If no improvement is made in the short term, students will be referred to the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO).

If a student is missing from registration and we have not been informed of an absence, a text will be generated to prompt parents and carers to phone the school and explain the reason for the absence and provide evidence if necessary.

Can we take a holiday in term time?

Holidays are not permitted during term time and if taken, the family could be issued a fine and an unauthorised absence will be recorded on the student’s permanent record. Only in exceptional circumstances, will a student be granted time out of school. If you would like to be considered, the request must be put in via the form below which will be sent to the Headteacher. It can take up to two weeks to receive a decision. The Headteacher will review each request and respond accordingly.

An application form can be downloaded by clicking here.

Who do I contact about an unforeseen event such as a funeral?

An application form can be downloaded by clicking here.

Options to Report an Absence

1

Email

Email the Attendance Officer before 8:30am on the day of the absence and all subsequent days. If your child is late, you can also email to explain why. Email directly on absence@eastbarnetschool.com.

2

Submit The Form

Use the form below to send your message. It is possible we will contact you for further information when filling in the form.

3

Call us

Call the school and leave a voicemail for the Attendance Officer by following the instructions. Please note this may take longer at busy periods, and it is quicker to email or fill in the form.

020 8344 2100