We expect good attendance and punctuality from our students. Absence from school affects attainment, wellbeing and can also be a risk to the safeguarding of students. We consider an attendance rate of at least 96% to be good. Persistent absence (PA) is defined as an attendance rate of 90% or below and this equates to missing 19 days of school in a year. Parents/carers are responsible for making sure that their children attend school regularly and we will work with parents to support them with this responsibility.

How parents can monitor attendance of their children

Class Charts is best way for parents to monitor homework, behaviour and attendance of their children. Please contact school through info@earls.dudley.sch.uk if you would like us to resend the log in details for your Class Charts account.

If you need to report an absence

The parent/carer must notify the school on the first day and subsequent days of any unplanned absence by 8.30am or as soon as practically possible either by using the Class Charts App, email to attendance@earls.dudley.sch.uk or telephoning 01384 8168406.

We encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours.

Lateness to school

The school register is taken each morning at 8.40am. Students will be marked as late if they are not in their form room for registration. When students are repeatedly late for registration or for lessons during the day, they will be given a detention by their Year Co-ordinator.

When attendance becomes a concern

We expect good attendance and punctuality from our students, because absence from school affects attainment, wellbeing and can also be a risk to the safeguarding of students.

Parents/carers are responsible for making sure that their children attend school regularly and we will work with parents to support them with this responsibility.

Persistent Absence is defined as an attendance rate of 90% or below and this equates to missing 19 days of school in a year. We will write to you when we believe that your child is at risk of falling into this category.

How parents can monitor attendance of their children:

Class Charts is best way for parents to monitor homework, behaviour and attendance of their children. Please contact school through info@earls.dudley.sch.uk if you would like us to resend the log in details for your Class Charts account.

If you need to report an absence:

The parent/carer must notify the school on the first day and subsequent days of any unplanned absence by 8.30am or as soon as practically possible either by using the Class Charts App, email to attendance@earls.dudley.sch.uk or telephoning 01384 816108.

We encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours.

Lateness to school:

The school register is taken each morning at 8.40am. Students will be marked as late if they are not in their form room for registration. When students are repeatedly late for registration or for lessons during the day, they will be given a detention by their Year Co-ordinator.

When attendance becomes a concern:

We strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment, where each member of the school community feels valued and secure. Children are, however, sometimes reluctant to attend school. In these instances, the school and parents will work together to ensure that any barriers to attending school are removed.

All interventions by the school will be sensitive to the individual needs and circumstances of the student. They may involve the Form Tutor, Year Co-ordinator, Head of School, Assistant Headteacher or other members of the Pastoral Team.

We will be proactive in supporting families when attendance begins to become a concern, and parents may also be invited to an Attendance Support Meeting when there are ongoing concerns about attendance. This supportive meeting will help the school to understand the challenges for each individual student or family and a plan will be made to support attendance.

If a student’s absence continues to rise, we will consider involving other outside agencies. We may also consider an attendance contract or formal notice to improve. In consultation with the Local Authority, a penalty notice may be issued. In this case the parent must pay £80 within 21 days, or £160 within 28 days.

Holidays and other requests or leave of absence:

The headteacher will not authorise family holidays during term-time. If you go on a holiday without the authorisation of the headteacher, you may be liable to pay a penalty notice.

If you have any concerns about attendance, please get in touch with us using the email  attendance@earls.dudley.sch.uk. Our full attendance policy can be found on our Policies page here.

Support with Attendance

If you or your child need further support with attendance to school, please don’t hesitate to contact their form tutor, Year Co-Ordinator or Mrs Reynolds.

Persistent Absenteeism

If a student’ attendance falls to 90% they are classed as persistently absent. Parents will be contacted, and a meeting arranged to provide support and address any barriers.