Attendance

Attendance Matters at Harris Academy South Norwood

At Harris Academy South Norwood, we are committed to ensuring every student achieves their best. Excellent attendance is a key factor in academic success, personal development, and future opportunities. We encourage all students to attend every school day unless they are unwell or have a valid reason. Together, we can build a culture that values learning and helps every student thrive.

Why Attendance is Crucial

• Maximising Achievement: Regular attendance supports academic success and improves life chances.
• Fostering Wellbeing: Being in school enhances personal growth, social skills, and mental health.
• Safeguarding: Persistent absence may signal other challenges; attending school ensures students are supported.

The Impact of Good Attendance

• GCSE Performance: Research shows that students with attendance above 95% are significantly more likely to achieve five or more GCSEs at grades 9-4, compared to those with attendance below 90%.
• Future Earnings: Studies highlight a salary premium for individuals with strong school attendance, as it builds discipline and reliability valued by employers.

Our Expectations

• Students should attend every day and arrive on time.
• Parents must inform the school of absences by 9:00 am on the first day and provide valid reasons.
• Medical appointments should be scheduled outside school hours wherever possible.

Recognising Excellent Attendance

We celebrate and reward students who demonstrate excellent attendance and punctuality through:

• 100% Attendance Certificates: Awarded annually and added to student progress files.
• Excellent Attendance Certificates: For students with strong attendance records despite unavoidable absences.
• 100% Punctuality Certificates: Recognising outstanding punctuality.
• House Competitions: Weekly and termly awards for the top-performing tutor groups.
• Assemblies and Recognition: Regular celebrations to highlight the importance of attendance.

Supporting Attendance Challenges

We understand some students may face barriers to attending school. Our approach includes:

• Individual Support: Working with families to address issues such as health concerns or additional needs.
• Pastoral Care: Providing guidance through tutors, the Senior Attendance Champion, and support staff.
• Tailored Strategies: Collaborating with external services for students with persistent or severe absence.

What Happens If Attendance Falls Below Expectations?

1. On Report: Students with attendance under 90% will be placed on report for six weeks. They will remain on report until their attendance improves to above 90%.
2. If a student’s attendance continues to be below expectations they will be referred to the educational welfare officer to offer tailored support, build an attendance contract with their family, and set targets for better attendance.

Legal Responsibilities

Parents are legally responsible for ensuring their child attends school. Where support efforts fail or are not engaged with, we work with the local authority to take further steps, including:

• Attendance contracts
• Penalty notices
• Education supervision orders
• Court action as a last resort

Join Us in Promoting Attendance

By working together, we can ensure that every student at Harris Academy South Norwood benefits from full-time education. Let’s celebrate excellent attendance, overcome challenges, and build a future full of success and opportunity.