Absence
Parents/Carers are responsible for informing the school in the event of any absence. This includes; sickness, medical appointments and any other unplanned absence.
Parents/Carers can inform the school via the following methods:
- If you are reporting a same day absence, please do this through the Arbor App only. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the link below. Please ensure you have provided a detailed reason for absence when submitting the absence request.
- If you are reporting an absence in advance, the best way to do so is by emailing info@billericayschool.com, stating your child’s name and the detailed reason for absence.
Communication must be made as soon as possible, however, notification does not necessarily approve an absence.
Please be advised that after three days of absence due to sickness, medical evidence will be requested. This can be provided in the form of a GP appointment card, copy of prescription or note from your doctor.
If attendance problems develop, the school expects parents to work actively with school staff and the Local Authority, to resolve them.
National education contexts are wide ranging and very different – so we thought it may be helpful to add some statistics from our previous two Year 11 cohorts showing their attendance and exam success.
|
Student Attendance |
98%+ |
95-98% |
90-95% |
80-90% |
Below 80% |
|
Average GCSE Grade (all subjects) |
6.7 |
6.54 |
4.93 |
4.1 |
3.1 |
|
Average Maths GCSE Grade |
6.51 |
6.1 |
5.13 |
3.4 |
2.3 |
|
Average English GCSE Grade |
6.36 |
6.4 |
5.16 |
3.4 |
2.6 |
|
% of Students with 4+ in English and Maths |
86% |
81% |
73% |
27% |
15.7% |
As you may be aware, overall absence and persistent absence of students has risen dramatically since the pandemic. (Persistent absence is defined as the percentage of students with less than 90% attendance to school.) Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the Department for Education statistics showed that overall absence rates were 4.7% and Persistent Absence rates were 10.9%.
Across the first two terms of 2023/24, the National Picture showed a 6.9% Overall Absence Rate with 19.2% Persistence Absence. Almost double the number of students in the UK with attendance below 90% - the equivalent of missing 1 day per fortnight, for the entire academic year.
At The Billericay School, we are acutely aware of the research that links student attainment and well being, with student attendance. Such research suggests that those students with lower attendance, not only attain less well in examinations, but are actually less happy in school due to missing out on peer group interaction, building relationships and the stresses caused by missing curriculum time. We have worked hard with our school community to see our attendance improve each year following the pandemic, and encourage you support us in providing your child with the best opportunity to be happy and successful.
Leave of Absence
Leave of absence may only be granted by a person authorised in that behalf by the proprietor of the school. As from 1st September 2013, the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 amended Regulation 7 to prohibit the proprietor of a maintained school from granting leave of absence to a student, except where an advance application has been made by the parent with whom the student normally resides, and the proprietor considers that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application.
Taking your child out of school during term time could be detrimental to your child's educational progress. A student who takes 10 days absence will only attain 94.7% attendance in the year. 10 days absence also means the student will miss 50 hours of education.
There is no entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time; however you may apply to the school for leave of absence if you believe there are exceptional circumstances. If not and the absence is taken it will not be authorised and the case will be referred to the Education Welfare Service who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.
Please click on the link below to download the Application Form for Leave of Absence During Term Time. Please note that a letter must be attached to this request, outlining the 'exceptional circumstances' for which a leave of absence is being applied for.