At Beckfoot Oakbank, we understand that barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates, and are often specific to individual pupils and families. We therefore want to ensure that we support our pupils and their families to attend school regularly by making Beckfoot Oakbank a place where pupils want to be. We are committed to creating an environment that is calm, safe and supportive, where all students can enjoy belonging, be ready to learn, and be determined to succeed.
Our Expectations
- Students will attend school every day
- Students will be on time to school and their lessons
- Students will always be prepared for school by having enough sleep, wearing the correct uniform, and having the right equipment
Students meeting these expectations will achieve well, be protected from risk of harm, and secure and maintain positive friendships with their peers at school.
Attendance and Punctuality Policy
Key contacts
Attendance is everyone’s business, and all members of our staff understand they they have a role to play in supporting good attendance. To learn more about our key contacts roles and responsibilities, please view our local attendance protocol.
- Chris Phillips – Assistant Headteacher for Attendance
- Eleanor Robbins – Attendance Officer
- Imraan Jhangir – Year 8 and Year 9 Family Engagement Worker
- Gill Hird – Year 7 and Year 10 Family Engagement Worker
- Alison Bogle – Year 11 Family Engagement Worker
- Caroline Burnley – Attendance Administrator
What do I do if my child is not well enough to come to school?
If your child is absent from Beckfoot Oakbank you must telephone the attendance/school line (01535 210111) and press option 1. This must be done on the first day of absence before 9.00am, and a reason for the students absence must be provided. You must call this line every morning your child is ill/off school and clearly state the reason for their absence.
If we do not receive any communication, you will receive a phone call home from one of our dedicated attendance officers. A home visit may be made depending on the student’s attendance record and the nature of the absence. On returning to school, the student must take responsibility to catch up on any work missed.
Student’s attendance is monitored daily. Home visits will be conducted by members of the attendance team if a student’s attendance becomes a concern. The purpose of home visits are to have conversations with families about their young person’s attendance, complete a safeguarding check, and offer support where needed.
Medical and dental appointments
Medical and dental appointments should be made before or after school wherever possible, however, if an appointment is required during school hours, school should be made aware in advance and their must be provision of some evidence to authorise the absence.
Holidays in term time
Holidays in term times will not be authorised by Beckfoot Oakbank and could lead to penalty notices and fines being issued. These will be issued to the parent/carer liable for the attendance offence.
Punctuality
Students must be in school by 8.20 am at the very latest. The register for the first session will be taken as soon as possible after this time and will be kept open until 8.50 am.
If pupils are not on time, they will receive a late mark and parents/carers will be informed of this by text. This late mark might be after 8.50 am and counted as a negative attendance mark against their name called a ‘U’ code. If pupils arrive more than 30 minutes late, without good reason, they will receive an unauthorised absence.
Recognising good attendance at Beckfoot Oakbank
- 100% Attendance Club – Students who achieve 100% attendance will be give a place in the 100% Attendance Club, entitling them to a range of rewards including celebration activities, trips and pop up events.
- Celebratory events
- Attendance Red Carpet events
- The most improved tutor group in each year group receives a weekly reward breakfast
We believe that all students are more likely to attend school regularly if the curriculum is engaging and personalised to meet their needs, and if they have targets and rewards to work towards.
How will we support you?
- We will build close and productive relationships with families to ensure that any attendance issues can be tackled and any barriers to attendance are removed.
- Creating intervention or reintegration plans in partnership with our pupils and their parents/carers.
- Encourage good attendance by making our classrooms and school a place where all pupils can and want to be.