At Compass School, we believe that good attendance is essential to support teaching, learning and positive outcomes for every pupil. Pupils cannot achieve their full potential if they do not attend school regularly and punctually.
 

We recognise that barriers to attendance can be complex and that some pupils may find it harder than others to attend school. Our approach is therefore supportive, inclusive and relationship-based. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive school environment and building strong, trusting relationships with pupils and families to help overcome barriers to attendance.
 

We take a whole-school approach to attendance. This includes recognising the important role that high-quality teaching and learning, the curriculum, behaviour, anti-bullying approaches, SEND support, pastoral care and wider resources can play in supporting good attendance.
 

Our commitment
 

We are committed to:
 

• Setting and promoting high expectations for attendance and punctuality.
• Promoting the benefits of regular attendance and celebrating good and improving attendance.
• Ensuring equality and fairness for all pupils.
• Identifying and addressing attendance concerns at the earliest opportunity.
• Working closely with pupils, parents and carers to understand and overcome barriers to attendance.
• Providing appropriate support for pupils and families, including working with other schools, the Local Authority and other agencies where necessary.
• Considering attendance alongside wider safeguarding, welfare and vulnerability concerns.
• Monitoring and analysing attendance and absence data to identify pupils, groups or cohorts who may need additional support.
• Using a graduated approach to attendance concerns, with support tailored to the individual needs and circumstances of the pupil and family.
• Taking formal or statutory action where appropriate when support has been exhausted, is not engaged with, or is not appropriate.
• Ensuring our attendance arrangements are clearly communicated to pupils, parents and staff and are applied consistently.

For pupils of compulsory school age, parents have a legal responsibility under section 7 of the Education Act 1996 to ensure that their child receives suitable full-time education, either through regular attendance at school or otherwise. Compass School will work in partnership with families to support regular attendance.

Parents and carers
 

Parents and carers are expected to:
 

• Ensure their child attends their timetabled provision every day they are required to attend and for the full day.
• Ensure their child arrives punctually and attends every timetabled lesson.
• Contact the school to report an absence before 8:45am on each day of absence and provide the reason for the absence and, where possible, when their child is expected to return.
• Provide the school with more than one emergency contact number.
• Make medical and dental appointments outside school hours wherever possible.
• Work with the school to identify and address any barriers to attendance.
• Seek support from the school when they are concerned about their child's attendance.

Reporting an absence
 

If your child is unable to attend school, please contact Compass School by 8:45am on the first day of absence, or as soon as practically possible.
 

You can:
 

Call: 02380 215320 – option 1
Text: 07756 292553
Email: attendance@compass-school.net
 

If an absence continues without explanation, the school will make further contact with parents/carers and may contact emergency contacts or relevant agencies where appropriate. Where attendance concerns raise safeguarding or welfare issues, we will act promptly in accordance with our safeguarding responsibilities.
 

Illness and medical appointments
 

Illness, including physical or mental health illness, will normally be recorded as authorised absence. Where an absence lasts for more than five days, or where there are genuine concerns about the authenticity of an illness, the school may request appropriate medical evidence. We will not request medical evidence unnecessarily.
 

Medical and dental appointments can be authorised when parents/carers notify the school in advance. Wherever possible, appointments should be arranged outside school hours and pupils should be absent for the minimum time necessary.
 

For advice about whether your child is well enough to attend school, parents may also wish to refer to the NHS guidance on illness and school attendance.
 

Term-time absence
 

Parents/carers should avoid arranging holidays or other non-essential absences during term time.
 

Leave of absence during term time will only be granted where the circumstances meet the requirements of the school attendance regulations. Each request is considered individually, taking account of the specific circumstances and relevant background of the pupil and family.
 

The school may authorise absence in circumstances set out in the attendance regulations, which can include certain regulated performances or employment abroad, interviews and individual timetables. Other authorised absences can include illness, medical or dental appointments, religious observance and certain other circumstances recognised by the regulations.
 

Supporting attendance
 

We understand that absence is often a sign that a pupil or family needs additional support. Our approach is therefore to identify concerns early, understand the reasons for absence and work with families to provide appropriate support.
 

Compass School uses a six-stage graduated response, beginning with universal support and early identification, and progressing to targeted and multi-agency support where required. Formal statutory intervention may be considered where attendance remains a concern despite appropriate support. Our approach remains supportive and proportionate throughout, and we continue to recognise and celebrate improvements in attendance.
Where appropriate, support may involve the Family Engagement Worker, SEND, Health, Social Care, Family Help, the Southampton School Attendance Service or other relevant professionals.
 

Persistent and severe absence
 

We monitor attendance closely and use attendance data to identify emerging patterns and pupils who may need additional support.
 

Persistent absence is where a pupil misses 10% or more of school. Severe absence is where a pupil misses 50% or more of school. Reducing persistent and severe absence is a key part of our attendance strategy.
 

Where attendance is a concern, we will work with pupils and families to understand the barriers, agree appropriate actions and review progress. Where necessary, we will work with the Local Authority and other agencies.
 

Punctuality
 

Good attendance also means arriving on time and attending every timetabled lesson.
 

Pupils are expected to attend in accordance with the timetable for their individual provision. Registers are taken at the start of each session, and pupils arriving after registration has opened but before the register closes will be recorded as late. Pupils arriving after the register has closed will normally be recorded as absent, unless another statutory attendance code applies.
 

Attendance and safeguarding
 

Attendance is an important safeguarding indicator. We consider attendance alongside wider welfare, vulnerability and safeguarding concerns.
 

Where a pupil does not arrive at school and no reason for absence has been provided, we will follow our absence procedures, including contacting parents/carers and emergency contacts. Where appropriate, the school may undertake a home visit and liaise with relevant agencies. If we remain unable to establish a reason for absence or make contact with the family, we may contact the police on the same day to report the child missing from school.
 

Attendance contacts
 

Our Family Engagement Worker is Gemma Allan. Staff, parents and pupils can contact Gemma with queries or concerns about attendance.
 

Email: gemma.allan@compass-school.net
 

Our Attendance Champion is Sally Howells, who can be contacted on 023 8021 5320 or at sally.howells@compass-school.net.
 

For full details, please see the Compass School Attendance Policy – September 2026.