Compass School believes that in order to facilitate teaching and learning, good attendance is essential. Pupils cannot achieve their full potential if they do not regularly attend school.

We understand that barriers to attendance are complex, and that some pupils find it harder than others to attend school; therefore, we will continue to prioritise cultivating a safe and supportive environment at school, as well as strong and trusting relationships with pupils and parents.

We take a whole-school approach to securing good attendance, and recognise the impact that our efforts in other areas – such as the curriculum, behaviour standards, bullying, SEND support, pastoral support, and the effective use of resources such as pupil premium – can have on improving pupil attendance.

We are committed to:

Promoting and modelling high attendance and its benefits.
Ensuring equality and fairness for all.
Intervening early and working with other agencies to ensure the health and safety of our pupils.
Building strong relationships with families to overcome barriers to attendance.
Working collaboratively with other schools in the area, as well as other agencies.
Ensuring parents follow the framework set in section 7 of the Education Act 1996, which states that the parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause them to receive efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude, and to any SEND they may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
Ensuring our attendance policy is clear and easily understood by all staff, parents and pupils.
Regularly monitoring and analysing attendance and absence data to identify pupils or cohorts that require more support.
The school’s attendance officer is Gemma Allan, and can be contacted via attendance@compass-school.net

Parents and Carers

Parents are responsible in law for ensuring that their children of compulsory school age receive an education suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs that they may have.

Parents should ensure that:

·         Their children arrive at school on time, properly dressed and ready to learn;

·         They notify their child’s school if he/she is absent.  This should be done as soon as possible on the first day of absence.  They should also provide an explanation for the absence. 

·         Parent/carers are expected to phone the school on 02380 215 320 or text 07756292553 if a pupil is unable to attend. Alternatively, parents/carers may notify the Attendance Officer via attendance@compass-school.net 

·         Where possible they do not arrange doctors, medical, or dental appointments during school hours;

·         They understand that no leave of absence during a school term will be approved or authorised except in exceptional circumstances, in line with government recommendations.

To enable their children to make the most of the educational opportunities available to them, it is advisable that parents should:

·         Instil in their children an appreciation of the importance of attending school regularly;

·         Be aware of the Attendance Policy of their child/children’s school;

·         Impress upon their children the need to observe the school’s code of conduct;

·         Take an active interest in their children’s school career, praising and encouraging good work and behaviour and attending parents’ evenings and other relevant meetings;

·         Work in partnership with their child/children’s school to resolve issues which may lead to non-attendance

          https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/