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Attendance
We believe that every day in school matters. Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in helping children succeed, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.
When students attend school consistently, they build strong relationships, develop resilience, and keep up with their learning. Even a few days of absence can create gaps in knowledge and make it harder for children to stay on track.
How can families support good attendance?
- Encourage school attendance by talking positively about its benefits, and check in after school to celebrate the successes of the day
- Aim for 100% attendance where possible
- Book appointments outside of school hours
- Keep the school informed about any difficulties affecting attendance, our staff are here to support you
We understand that children may sometimes be unwell and need to stay at home. However, wherever possible, we encourage students to attend school so they don’t miss out on valuable learning opportunities.
Full attendance is expected, and it is a parent/carer’s legal responsibility to ensure regular attendance.
Attendance Policy
Leave of Absence
The School Attendance (Pupil Regulations) (England) Regulations 2024 state that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are ‘exceptional circumstances’. Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.
Oxted School has a procedure for requesting leave of absence in exceptional circumstances:
- parents/carers should make the request as far in advance as possible
- the Request for Leave of Absence Form must be completed and forwarded to the Head of Year
- the reason for the request, including compassionate reasons, must be given and any evidence of the reason
Leave of Absence Form
Notifying the school of absence
The school understands that there may be some instances when absence is unavoidable.
All absences, including lateness, dental or medical appointments should be reported to the school by the parent/carer via the Parent Gateway App with supporting evidence, for example a letter of appointment or prescription. Appointments can be notified in advance of the date. The schools ask that appointment are made outside school hours where possible.
Parents and carers should notify the school on the first day of absence by 8.30am, and for any subsequent day.
The school will decide whether the absence is authorised or not.
The school notifies parents/carer by text when a student is absent and the school has not been notified.
Attendance Protocol - Parent and Student
At Oxted School, we firmly believe that attending school regularly is in the best interest of every student as this will help them to achieve their full potential.
Students with at least 96% attendance achieve, on average, one grade better per GCSE subject than those with attendance below 96%. In addition, students who regularly attend school have the opportunity to foster lasting friendships and gain experiences in and outside the classroom, which they will cherish for years to come.
Students whose attendance is below 96% start to lose the continuity of their learning and the social benefits of school. They are also at risk of underachievement as catching up on work becomes more challenging.
Below are our family-friendly attendance protocols so you can read about the benefits of high attendance and the support we can provide as a school. If there is any additional support we can provide or you have any queries around attendance, please email attendance@oxted.thpt.org.uk.
Parent and Student Friendly Protocols for Attendance
Support for Families
If your child is finding it difficult to attend school, we encourage you to contact their Year Team as soon as possible. Our team is ready to work with you to understand any challenges, explore the support available, and connect with other services if needed. Together, we can help your child make the most of every opportunity at Oxted School and ensure they have the best chance to succeed.
There may be exceptional circumstances that result in the short-term absence of a student, for example:
- recovering from some operations
- recovering from injuries or illness and where attendance might inhibit recovery
In all circumstances, we ask parents and carers to communicate with the Head of Year to agree a plan for the student’s continuing education, including their personal development curriculum. This may include remote learning with a mix of independent study and/or Teams participation, reduced timetable or relocation of lessons within the school.
Any plan will be time specific with the aim of returning to full-time education in school in the quickest time possible.
Home School Link Worker
Our Home School Link Worker (HSLW) acts as a vital link between families and school. They offer advice, guidance and practical support to help address any challenges that may affect a child’s well‑being, attendance or engagement in school.
How the HSLW can help
- One‑to‑one support for students and families at school or at home
- Improving attendance and punctuality
- Signposting to local services, agencies and community activities
- Access to Early Help and other support programmes
- Workshops, resources and parent support groups
- Help with forms, benefit applications and referrals
Who the HSLW supports
- Families experiencing behaviour, attendance or emotional‑wellbeing concerns
- Parents/carers managing stress, mental health challenges or significant family changes
- Families dealing with bereavement, separation, illness or financial difficulty
- Children who are anxious, withdrawn or struggling with change
To contact the HSLW, please email: OXTHSLW@oxted.thpt.org.uk