Attendance & Absence

At Hope View School, we firmly believe that good attendance is crucial for a pupil’s academic success, as well as their social, emotional, and spiritual development.

Reporting absence

To report an absence due to illness or an upcoming appointment, please inform the school daily via one of the following methods:

Telephone: 01227 738000
Email: office@hopeviewschool.co.uk

The absence line is open between 7:50 AM and 9:30 AM. Please make every effort to contact the school within this timeframe to ensure the absence is recorded promptly.

Attendance at Hope View School: a key to success

At Hope View School, we firmly believe that good attendance is crucial for a pupil’s academic success, as well as their social, emotional, and spiritual development. Regular attendance allows students to benefit from continuous learning, actively participate in class discussions, and build meaningful relationships with both their peers and teachers.

We recognise a clear link between high attendance and high academic achievement. With this in mind, any absence whether planned or unplanned can disrupt learning and hinder progress. Therefore, attendance is a shared responsibility among all members of the school community.

Supporting your Child’s Attendance

We have compiled the following advice, based on Government and educational body recommendations, to support parents in improving their child’s school attendance.

Talk About Attendance: Reinforce the importance of attending every class to support your child’s learning.
Create Daily Routines: Establish a clear morning and evening routine, including wake-up times, leaving the house, homework, and bedtime.
Build Confidence: A consistent routine for getting ready, having breakfast, and leaving the house reduces stress and boosts confidence.
Prepare the Night Before: Check your child’s timetable, pack bags, and lay out clothes the evening before to ease the morning rush.
Engage in Conversations: Ask about their school day and find out which subjects or classes capture their interest.
Increase Interest in Classes: Discuss ways to make less engaging subjects more interesting for your child.
Address Social Concerns: Talk about peer pressure, feelings of isolation, or other emotional issues that might be affecting attendance.
Contact the School if Necessary: If your child feels unsafe, speak to their Head of Year or a member of staff.
Monitor Peer Relationships: Be aware of your child’s social life, as peer pressure or lack of friends can impact attendance.
Schedule Appointments Outside School Hours: Whenever possible, book medical or dental appointments after school.
Limit Absence: Only let your child stay home if they are genuinely unwell; medical evidence may be required for absences.
Stay Connected with the School: If you notice sudden behavioural changes, contact your child’s Year Support or Primary Teacher to discuss potential school-related issues.

By working together, we can help ensure that your child enjoys a successful and consistent school experience.

Expectations for Pupil Attendance

At Hope View School, we expect all of our pupils to attend school regularly. The school regularly monitors each pupil’s attendance, and when attendance falls below 90% we work closely with the pupil / family / Local Authority to provide additional support.

The table below clearly illustrates how attendance correlates with academic achievement and highlights the importance of regular school attendance for each pupil’s success.

Attendance during one school year

95% = 9 days absent = 54 missed lessons
90% = 17 days absent = 102 missed lessons
85% = 26 days absent = 156 missed lessons
80% = 35 days absent = 210 missed lessons

It is our aim for all our pupils to have excellent attendance, with 100% attendance being the ideal. While we understand that this is not always possible, we believe that regular attendance is crucial to a child’s academic progress and overall well-being.

It is important to remember that ensuring regular attendance is a legal responsibility for parents, but maintaining a consistent pattern of attendance is a shared responsibility between parents, pupils, and all members of school staff.

We are committed to working closely with parents, pupils, and the Local Authority to ensure that attendance is as strong as it can be, as we believe that high attendance significantly improves the opportunities and outcomes for the young people in our care.

To support pupils with genuine reasons for missing school, we offer a range of interventions. We are always ready to work with families to identify and overcome any issues that may be affecting attendance. We know that frequent absence can lead to missed learning and can impact a child’s progress, so we want to work together to help every child attend school regularly and succeed.

Appointments During The School Day

We ask that, wherever possible, dental and medical appointments are scheduled outside of school hours to minimize disruption to your child’s learning. However, we understand that some appointments may be unavoidable.

If your child has an appointment during school hours, we kindly request that you inform the school in advance. When the time arrives for your child to leave, they will be collected from class and brought to the main reception for you to collect them.

Please note that while medical appointments are considered an authorised absence, any time missed from school, including morning or afternoon registration, will affect your child’s overall attendance percentage.

Term Time Holidays

In line with the Department for Education (DfE) statutory guidelines (September 2024) Hope View School are not permitted to approve any term-time holidays, as in doing so, it may adversely affect children’s educational development. As a school we fully recognise the challenges that this may present, but we must adhere to this statutory guidance.

Pharmacy First

When your child is feeling unwell but you can’t get a doctor’s appointment? NHS England has now enabled Pharmacists to give advice and treat (when appropriate) 7 common health conditions.

These conditions are:

sinusitis
sore throat
earache
infected insect bites
impetigo
shingles
uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women

Health Guidelines

If you are unsure if you should keep your child off school. Please see below on the Health Guidelines we follow here at Hope View School, from the UK Health Security Agency.

Should I keep my child off school checklist poster (PDF)

Adverse Weather Conditions

In the event of adverse weather conditions, protocol involves caretakers assessing each site. If deemed unsafe, we will contact the taxi companies and inform parents and carers through a message on Arbor as quickly as we can. Taxi companies have the power to assess the weather conditions along their routes and may choose not to operate, even if the schools remain open.

Should conditions deteriorate during the day, we will inform the taxi companies to arrange for an early pickup. Additionally, parents and carers have the option to collect their child if they choose to do so.

Helpful attendance related links

Kent Gov School Absences

Kent Resilience Hub Resources

School anxiety and refusal – strategies to try at home

Family Lives – supporting your child at school

Pupils on school bus

Firm – Fair – Friendly – Fun