Attendance
Kingfisher Schools Trust and Stowmarket High School are committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all its students and recognises this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting excellent school attendance by all. Only by attending school regularly, and punctually, will children and young people be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. High attainment depends on good attendance.
All schools recognise their responsibilities to ensure children are in school and on time, therefore having access to learning for the maximum number of days and hours. Stowmarket High School is committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all its students and recognises this can only be achieved by supporting and promoting 100% attendance for all its students.
Although parents/carers have the legal responsibility for ensuring their child’s good attendance, the whole school community – students, parents/carers, tutors, teachers, support staff and School Committee members – work together with other professionals and agencies to ensure that all children are encouraged and supported to aim for 100% attendance.
Children who are persistently late or absent soon fall behind with their learning. Children who are absent from the school frequently develop large gaps in their learning which will impact on their progress and their ability to meet age related learning expectations. A child whose attendance drops to 90% each year will, over their time at the school miss just over 3 half-terms of learning or 19 full school days in each year.
At Stowmarket High School, all students are expected to be in school by 8:45am as students should arrive in tutor time by 8:50am. The bottom gate (closest to the leisure centre) will be closed at 8.45am and any student trying to enter the school site after this time, will need to walk to the front of school to gain access.
Any student arriving into school after 8.50am will be classified as late and this will be reflected in the register with a late mark “L”. The student will need to sign in at / outside the Attendance Office and If the student is late without a valid reason, they will also receive a break-time detention (please see the Behaviour Policy for more details).
To report an absence, please call the main school telephone number – 01449 613541 – and select option 1 or email attendance@stowhigh.com
Any medical appointment – including doctor’s and dentist’s appointments – should be made outside school hours or during school holidays wherever possible. We will not authorise holidays or any other planned absences unless there are exceptional circumstances – you are required to complete an absence request form before taking a planned absence in order for it to be considered for authorisation.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s tutor. Thank you for your support with your child’s attendance and punctuality to school.
