Attendance

Why Does Attendance Matter?

At New Mills School, we believe that good attendance is vital if students are to gain the most from their education. To be successful, learners need the highest levels of access, attendance, and engagement. We work closely with parents and external agencies to support this.

Attendance and Achievement

  • Students with 95%+ attendance typically achieve an average of seven to eight GCSEs at grades 9–4.

  • Students whose attendance drops below 93% average only two to three GCSEs at grades 9–4.

Put simply: good attendance directly impacts future success and life chances.

 

Legal Responsibilities of Parents/Carers

Parents and carers are legally responsible for ensuring their child attends school regularly.

Students should only be absent when absolutely necessary (e.g. illness or other authorised circumstances). As a diverse community, we respect students’ right to religious observance and authorise related absences accordingly.

The Department for Education has also provided guidance on when children can attend school with a mild illness.

 

First-Day Response to Absence

The school operates a first-day response system. Parents and carers are expected to:

  1. Decide if absence is necessary – could your child still attend?

  2. Contact school before 8.30am on the first day of absence with a reason.

  3. Call daily for each subsequent day of absence.

  4. Seek medical advice if the absence is due to a serious illness.

  5. Send your child in later in the day if they are well enough to attend part of the day.

 

What This Means for Students

Your child must:

  • Attend school regularly

  • Arrive on time

  • Be suitably dressed for school

  • Be equipped and ready to learn

 

Your child must not be kept away for:

  • Family holidays

  • Looking after siblings

  • Visiting relatives

  • Long weekends

  • Shopping trips

Keeping a child off school for these reasons is breaking the law.

 

Why Do Children Miss School?

There are many reasons why children might not attend, such as:

  • Struggling with schoolwork

  • Boredom or fear of failure

  • Peer pressure or bullying

  • Family problems

  • Lack of parental control

If you are struggling to get your child into school, please talk to us. We will work with you to resolve the problem.

 

Requesting Absence During Term Time

We ask for your support in avoiding family holidays during term time. The link between high attendance and strong educational outcomes is clear — full attendance helps secure future success.

  • Requests for leave must be made using the official request form (below).

  • In line with Department for Education policy, leave will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances (e.g. family weddings, funerals, exams, or religious observance) and only if attendance is above 90%.

  • Cheap holidays or term overlaps will not be accepted as exceptional.

  • If exams are missed, they cannot be taken at another time.

  • Students are responsible for catching up on any missed work.

Parents should be aware that unauthorised absence may result in a fixed penalty notice issued by the Education Welfare Service.

Request for Absence in Term Time Form

For our Attendance policy, please click here.