Attendance
Pupils should aim for a consistently high attendance rate; the target is a minimum of 97% for all pupils over the course of the academic year
The Academy must be informed of any unavoidable absence by means of a phone-call or e-mail before 9:00am on the day of absence, followed by a letter to the class teacher/form tutor when the pupil returns.
Medical or dental appointments should not be made during school hours, including Enrichment times, unless this is absolutely unavoidable. An appointment card or note should be presented to the class teacher/form tutor beforehand if this is the case.
A child who is late will be expected to attend a Late Detention on the same day. Parents will be informed by text and it is therefore important that the school has the most up to date mobile numbers. Any pupil who feels ill during School hours must inform their teacher (if in lesson) or a member of staff (during break/lunch). Students will be escorted to the Medical Room. Pupils may not go home without permission from their Head of Year, Head of Key Stage or member of the Senior Leadership Team, and under no circumstances, pupils will not be allowed home unaccompanied. They must be collected by a parent/guardian or trusted adult with permission from parent/guardian.
Attendance Counts, Moments matter
You can support your child’s physical, social and mental wellbeing by ensuring they are in school every day. We know that parents and carers worry about their children’s mental health. Rather than keeping your child off school, let us know about your concerns. We can then work together on supporting your child.
It can be difficult to know whether your child is too ill to attend school. NHS guidance is clear that it’s fine to send them in with a minor cough or common cold, provided they don’t have a temperature.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/
School attendance is important for equipping your child with skills for life. Attending school every day can help your child to achieve their aspirations, and the aspirations you have for them. We know that coming to school every day makes all the difference. That's why we are striving for 97% attendance in all our schools. Excellent attendance is the expectation at Hatcham College. The expectation is that students attend every day unless they are unwell, in which case Parents or carers are expected to contact the school before 9:00 am on each morning of the absence.
To report an absence please contact our Attendance Officer on (0)20 7652 9510 or email: hatchamattendance@habstrustsouth.org.uk
COLLEGE ATTENDANCE CHAMPION: Ms Niamh McGuinness
PLEASE USE THESE EMAIL ADDRESSES AND DO NOT EMAIL INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS ABOUT STUDENT ABSCENCE.
Please cc their form tutors as well as emailing the central attendance team in your correspondence.
Please see link to attendance Policy Below
https://www.habshatcham.org.uk/docs/policies/Attendance_Policy_2024-2025.pdf
Leave of Absence
Term time holidays will not be authorised.
The Government has made it clear that schools should not authorise any leave of absence during term time unless there are very exceptional circumstances.
If a parent/carer wants leave of absence for their child, they should seek permission well in advance. Letters regarding leave should be addressed to ‘The Academy Principal’.
We reserve the right to refer specific unauthorised absences to our Education Welfare Service, who may deem it appropriate to issue a fixed penalty notice. Should you wish to request a leave of absence please fill out the following form.
HHC Extraordinary Leave of Absence Request Form
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If parents have any concerns about attendance or lateness please do not hesitate to contact the Attendance Officer or your child’s Head of Year. We are here to help!
Mrs Shahida Ahmed, Attendance Officer, 020 7652 9510
