Attendance
(For full Attendance Policy click here (or scroll to the foot of this page) and here for 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.
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.
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.
What the school expects of parents/carers
- To ensure their child attends every day and on time.
- Read Meadowhead School’s Attendance Policy
- Contact staff if there is an issue which is preventing your child attending.
- Provide reason for each day's absence before 8:30am and every day they continue to be absent.
- Book routine appointments after school and at weekends.
- Provide medical evidence if required.
- Aim to ensure your child does not miss more than half a day to attend an unavoidable appointment.
- Contact Pastoral manager/Head of Year to arrange a reintegration package when returning after a long-term absence.
- Ensure that no holidays are booked during term time.
- Ensure your child is equipped and ready to learn.
- Ensure the school has up to date contact details for all parents/carers.
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
Holidays (Term Time Leave)
Government legislation does not 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. Holidays will not be authorised in school time. Parents/carers wishing to apply for exceptional circumstances need to 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 to your child’s Pastoral Manager. Upon receipt of a Request for Exceptional Term Time Leave a decision will be made, (the Headteachers decision is final), and parents will be notified only if leave is to be granted. If this 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.
You can also view the full 'LA Exceptional Leave During Term Time' policy below and visit Sheffield City Council's Attendance Matters website page.
When to keep your child off school
Please visit this page provided by NHS for guidelines when deciding whether or not to keep your child off school when they're unwell: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/