Attendance

If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, you must contact the school before 8:30am.

You must contact us every day that your child is absent. Let us know your name, your child's name, form group and reason for absence. This will enable us to code the absence accurately. 

Call:
01322 665231 – Option 1

Email:
attendance@orchards-tkat.org

Where possible please provide supporting information, particularly if your child’s attendance is already below 90%.

If we do not hear from you, the school will follow up the absence.

Where possible, please arrange medical appointments outside of school hours.

If an appointment must take place during the school day:

• please provide appointment evidence where possible

• children should attend school before or after the appointment whenever possible

• please avoid booking appointments at the start of the school day

Helpful guidance from the NHS about when children should attend school when unwell can be found here:

NHS – Is my child too ill for school?

The school site opens at 08:20 each morning. A free breakfast is available in the canteen between 08:20 and 08:40, and all children are welcome to attend.

Children must be ready to begin tutor time at 08:40.

Registers are taken in line with national regulations.

• Children arriving after 8:40am will receive a late mark.
• Where appropriate, lateness may result in a same-day detention, in line with the school’s behaviour procedures.
• The morning register closes 30 minutes after the start of the school day.
• Arrival after the register has closed will be recorded as U code, which counts as an unauthorised absence for that session.
• Afternoon registers are taken between 12:00 and 12:30.

Persistent lateness disrupts learning and will be addressed through the school’s behaviour and attendance procedures.

Government guidance is very clear: holidays should not be taken during term time.

Headteachers are only able to authorise leave of absence in exceptional circumstances.

Examples that are not considered exceptional include:

• cheaper holidays

• availability of holiday accommodation

• parental work patterns

• extending holidays into the school term

If you wish to request leave during term time you must complete a Withdrawal from Learning (Leave of Absence) form at least one month in advance.

The Headteacher will review each request carefully.

If leave is taken without authorisation, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and will be referred to Kent County Council.

This may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued.

Under national regulations:

• the fine is £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days

• rising to £160 if paid within 28 days

• repeated cases may result in legal action through the courts

We strive for 100% attendance for every child. We recognise that illness and rare unavoidable circumstances can occur, but our school attendance target is at least 95%.

Under national guidance:

• Below 90% attendance is classed as Persistent Absence

• Below 50% attendance is classed as Severe Absence

Children with severe absence are considered to be at risk of harm, and schools must consider safeguarding action in these circumstances.

Attendance is monitored regularly and carefully. When attendance begins to fall we will contact families early so that support can be offered.

Learning builds over time. Missing even small amounts of school quickly adds up.

For example:

• 95% attendance means around 9 days of absence across a school year

• 90% attendance means missing around four weeks of learning

• 80% attendance means missing one day of school every week

Across a secondary school career this can equate to hundreds of hours of missed learning.

National exam data consistently shows a strong link between attendance and GCSE outcomes. Pupils with strong attendance are significantly more likely to achieve good GCSE results.

Regular attendance also supports:

• confidence and routine

• friendships and belonging

• emotional wellbeing

• preparation for adult life and employment

Small improvements make a real difference. Attending every day from this point forward can still strengthen a child’s learning and overall attendance.

Attendance is a safeguarding matter.

If a child is absent and we do not know the reason, we must take steps to ensure they are safe.

Where a child has 10 consecutive days of unexplained absence, schools are required to notify the Local Authority as a potential Child Missing Education (CME) case.

Children missing education are at greater risk of harm, exploitation and disengagement from learning.

For this reason we follow up absence robustly.

If we are unable to establish contact with a parent or carer regarding a child’s absence, we may take further safeguarding action including:

• contacting all known emergency contacts

• carrying out unannounced welfare visits to the home address

• checking with other agencies where appropriate

• requesting support from the Local Authority

Where we cannot confirm a child’s safety or whereabouts, or where safeguarding concerns arise, we will report the matter to Children’s Services or the police as required.

Our priority will always be to ensure that every child is safe.

We understand that attendance can sometimes become difficult.

Barriers to attendance may include health issues, anxiety, family circumstances or other challenges.

Where attendance begins to fall we will work with families to understand the barriers and identify solutions.

Support may include:

• pastoral support within school

• mentoring and key adult support

• attendance support plans

• Early Help support for families

• partnership work with Kent County Council

Our aim is always to address concerns early so that children can attend regularly and succeed.

Attendance is reviewed daily, weekly and termly.

If attendance begins to fall we may:

• contact families to discuss concerns

• invite parents or carers to an attendance meeting

• agree an Attendance Support Plan

• involve Early Help or external services

• refer the matter to Kent County Council where attendance does not improve

We will always try to support families first. However, where attendance does not improve, legal interventions may be considered under the Education Act 1996.

At Orchards Academy we recognise the effort children make to attend school regularly.

Rather than offering rewards, we focus on recognising commitment and improvement.

We acknowledge:

• excellent attendance

• strong punctuality

• meaningful improvements in attendance

Children who improve their attendance demonstrate determination, resilience and responsibility — values that reflect the Orchards ethos.

Strong attendance happens when schools and families work together.

If you are concerned about your child’s attendance, please speak with us early. The sooner we talk, the sooner we can help.

Together we can ensure that every child is safe, supported and able to achieve their potential.

Kent County Council - School Attendance Webpage

Department for Education – Working Together to Improve School Attendance

Department for Education – Guidance for Parents on School Attendance

NHS – Is my child too ill for school?