Attendance
(For the full Attendance Policy go to the foot of this page, where you can also find advice on when to keep your child off school if they are ill)
Meadowhead School seeks to ensure that all of its students receive a full-time education which will maximise the opportunities for each student to realise their true potential. We expect every student to be in school every day school is open. There is a clear link between attendance and achievement alongside the development of social, emotional and personal skills.
We recognise that attendance is ‘everyone’s business’, all of the time and this policy should be viewed alongside the safeguarding, bullying, behaviour and SEND policies. We will work with families to identify the barriers for poor attendance and try to resolve any issues.
The school recognises that some students may experience physical or mental health difficulties, disabilities, SEND needs, pregnancy-related absence, caring responsibilities or other exceptional barriers to attendance. Attendance concerns will always be considered in context and reasonable adjustments will be made where appropriate.
Why is regular attendance so important?
The school will strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment, where each member of the school community feels wanted and secure. School staff will work with students and their families to ensure each student attends school every day and on time, unless the reason is unavoidable.
Good attendance supports students to become resilient, confident and competent individuals.
Failure to attend school on a regular basis will be considered a safeguarding issue. Persistent absence and unexplained absence will be treated as potential safeguarding concerns and responded to in line with safeguarding procedures.
The school will establish an effective system of incentives and rewards which acknowledges the efforts of students to improve their attendance and timekeeping, and will challenge students and parents who give low priority to attendance and punctuality. To meet these objectives, Meadowhead School will establish an effective and efficient system of communication with students, parents and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support.
The 1996 Education Act requires that all pupils of compulsory school age receive suitable full-time education by regular attendance at school. Failure by parents to ensure the regular attendance at school of a registered pupil is an offence punishable by law.
Sixth Form
Sixth Form students are expected to attend all lessons and they should contact the school immediately if there is a problem. The Sixth Form Attendance Policy can be found in the dedicated Sixth Form area of our website.
Unplanned and unauthorised absence
Parents/carers must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence by 8:30am.
Parents/carers can contact school on 0114 237 2723 or email attendance@meadowhead.sheffield.sch.uk and should continue to call each day that a child remains absent.
Unauthorised absences are those that the school do not consider reasonable or for which no “leave” has been given.
Term Time Holiday
Government legislation does not normally permit parents/carers to take their child/ren out of school during term time as this can have a detrimental effect on their academic progress.
Headteachers may only grant leave of absence during term time in exceptional circumstances.
Holidays will not be authorised in school time.
Parents/carers wishing to take their children out of school during term time must complete a Request for Exceptional Term Time Leave form (available at the foot of this page) at least 20 school days prior to the absence and give this to the child’s pastoral manager. Upon receipt of a Request for Exceptional Term Time Leave a decision will be made, (the Headteacher’s decision is final), and parents will be notified only if leave is to be granted. If the request is not agreed, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and the parent/carer may receive a Holiday Penalty Notice (fine) from the Local Authority.
Rewards
Students who attend regularly should be rewarded:
- half-termly - certificates for 95% or higher attendance
- yearly - certificates and a letter of commendation for 100% attendance
- attendance on rewards trips
- weekly prize draws for 100% attendance in a school week
The school may also recognise excellent improvement in attendance, resilience and engagement where attendance has been affected by medical, SEND or other exceptional circumstances.
When to keep your child off school
Policy Review
| Staff Responsible: | Geoff Dearman – Assistant Headteacher |
|---|---|
| Governor Link: | Jen Goodison |
| Author: | Geoff Dearman – Assistant Headteacher |
| Date of last review: | September 2026 |
| Approval date: | 14th September 2026 |
| Date of next review: | September 2027 |
(Page updated 16.09.26)