We are committed to giving every child at Barlby High School the best education they can have and the very first step of this is keeping student attendance as high as possible.
Attendance Matters
To ensure that all pupils gain the greatest benefit from their education, it is essential that they attend school regularly and punctually. If pupils are absent from school, they are missing out on vital learning time along with essential social time with their friends and peers, which could impact negatively on their learning and academic progress as well as their social and emotional well-being.
Research proves that there is a very clear relationship between excellent school attendance and academic achievement. Year after year, the students with the best school attendance achieve the best results. We are passionate about providing students with the best possible life chances and as such, know they have to ‘be here to get there.’
In order to help prevent our children at Barlby High School from being disadvantaged in this way, please support us by ensuring your child attends school on time everyday.
Staff at Barlby High School work hard to ensure that all pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each and every one to realise their true potential. Staff offer a welcoming and caring environment, whereby each member of
the school community is able to feel safe and respected, giving them a place to thrive.
We recognise that promoting good attendance and punctuality prepares students for the disciplines of adult working life. Every member of the school will work to raise the attendance levels of the school.
Attendance Target
All students at Barlby High School are set an attendance target of 97% or above.
Students with 97% attendance and above are more likely to:
● Be appointed to a well paid job.
● Make the best progress in their subjects.
● Develop good habits for work and wider life.
● Achieve higher than average grades in their GCSEs.
● Secure a place at a college, University or a training course.
● Maintaining strong and sound friendships.
The law states that students can miss school if they are:
● Too unwell to attend school*;
● It has been authorised in advance by the Principal (such as a religious observance or a funeral).
How parents/carers can support regular school attendance
● Make sure that your child leaves for school with plenty of time to arrive punctually.
● Prepare your child by helping them pack their bag the night before.
● Support and encourage your child by attending parents’ evening and other events.
● Contact school to discuss any concerns regarding your child’s attendance.
● Work with school to resolve any issues that may be causing or having an impact on your child’s attendance.
● Attempt to make medical appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. On the occasion that appointments unavoidably fall within the school day, we expect children to attend before and after the appointments where possible, to cause minimum disruption to their learning.
● Not take your child out of school for holidays in term time or for other unnecessary absences.
Reporting an Absence
It is important that absences are reported before 8.45am on the first day and each subsequent day of absence. Absences can be reported a number of ways:
● By using the EduLink app
● By telephoning school on 01757 706161
● By emailing the school at hello@bhs.hlt.academy
When reporting an absence, please inform the school of the reason for this. Failure to do so may result in your child being marked with unauthorised absence. Research shows that there is a significant link between absence from school and low attainment. There are only 190 school days in each year; this leaves 175 non-school days for other activities. If a child fails to attend school for one day every two weeks throughout secondary school, they will miss the equivalent of one full year of their school life.
