Attendance

We believe that regular attendance is essential for students to achieve their best and benefit fully from their education. Attending school every day helps students build strong relationships, develop key life skills and prepare for future success.

Reporting an absence

If a student is absent for any reason, the parent/carer should phone the school to report this before 8.30am on the day of absence.

‍The following information will be required: Student’s name / tutor group / reason for absence / when they are expected to return to school.

‍Student Absence Line: 020 8572 4461

‍Student Absence Email: attendance@liftkingsley.org

‍Authorised absence is where the school has given approval for a student to be away, or has accepted an explanation offered afterwards as a satisfactory justification for absence.
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All other absences will be treated as unauthorised, including holidays taken during term time.

Day 1:

Contact the school to report the absence and provide the reason and expected return date.

Day 2 and beyond:

Keep the school informed of your child’s progress and update the expected return date where possible. Absences can be reported by phone or via the school’s dedicated absence email: Contact us

First day calling policy

If we haven’t heard from you by a set time (usually 10:30 am), a member of the school’s administration team will contact you to confirm the reason for absence.

School attendance and the law

Parents and carers are legally responsible for ensuring their child attends school regularly and punctually. Failure to do so could result in legal action by the local authority.

Under the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006, only the school can authorise an absence – not parents or carers.

Time off for holidays during term time is not a legal right. Any request for a leave of absence must be made in advance by completing an absence form and submitting it to the school office. If a holiday is taken without permission, the absence will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’ and could result in legal action.

You can read the government advice here:

https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence

Why is attendance important?

Regular school attendance is essential because:

It is a legal requirement for children aged 5 to 16
It supports academic success and future opportunities
Schools have a safeguarding responsibility for all students
It helps develop social skills and strong relationships
Schools have a safeguarding responsibility for all students
It ensures students gain the qualifications they need for their next steps in education or employment

Attendance expectations

Students are expected to attend school every day
Punctuality is important—students must arrive on time for both morning and afternoon registration
The minimum target for attendance is 98%
Parents should schedule appointments and holidays outside of term time wherever possible

Further guidance

Parents/carers must contact the school on the first day of absence and daily until their child returns to school and must provide medical evidence where appropriate. If a student's attendance drops below 96%, parents /carers will receive a letter 1 attendance letter in the post accompanied by a phone call home.
If there are further absences parents /carers will receive a letter 2 attendance letter in the post and will need to attend an attendance meeting with the head of year or a member of the pastoral team to discuss attendance concerns.
If absences persist, parents /carers will receive a letter 3 attendance letter in the post and will need to attend an attendance panel meeting with a member of SLT and the attendance manager, where attendance targets will be set.
If attendance targets are not met parents /carers will be referred to the borough for court action.

Our Approach towards attendance

The government document, School attendance parental responsibility measures, outlines the legal responsibilities of parents and schools, and what the consequences are if a student’s attendance is not regular. By law, if parents fail to ensure their child attends, they “may be guilty of an offence and can be prosecuted by the local authority.” A fine is also liable to be imposed upon the parents by the Local Authority. Poor punctuality can also result in the school referring your child to the Local Authority.

We expect that all parents/guardians/carers who have responsibility for the students will:
Encourage 100% school attendance and be aware of their legal responsibilities.
Ensure that the child/children in their care arrive at school punctually, no later than 8.25am, ready and prepared for the day ahead.
Phone or email the school before 8.30am if your child is too ill to come in.
Provide medical evidence for absence when a child is absent from school for 3 or more consecutive days and provide the school with confirmation of reasons for absence upon their child’s return to school.
Avoid making appointments for their child e.g. medical/dental during the school day.
Ensure that no holidays are booked during term time (these will not be authorised with very, very few exceptions) and could result in your child losing their place at the school and a fine from the local authority.
Contact the school immediately if you are concerned that your child’s attendance might drop so we can put support in place to help you.
Support the school when disciplinary sanctions are needed in relation to attendance and punctuality Attend school meetings as requested relating to attendance or punctuality concerns.
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If your child’s attendance drops below 97% they will be placed on the first stage of our attendance reporting system and in most cases you will be called in to meet with us.
Excellent attendance will be celebrated with certificates and rewards at the end of every term.

Key Contacts

Ms Randhawa, Attendance & Punctuality Manager. Email: click here‍
‍Ms Iqbal, Attendance Officer. Email: click here ‍
Mr Pitts, Associate Assistant Principal. Email: click here