Attendance expectations

Dyson Perrins Church of England Academy encourages all students to strive for 100% attendance and aim for a minimum attendance figure of no less than 96%. Regular attendance is important at every stage of your child's school career. High attendance allows students to make the most of the opportunities on offer in school and fulfil their academic potential.

We expect all students to attend every day unless they are too unwell or have been given prior authorisation. We do all we can to engage with students and their families and to put in place appropriate procedures support high attendance. Dyson Perrins follows the Department for Education’s working together to support school attendance framework.

Attendance	No. of days lost in a year	No. of lessons lost in a year
95%	9.5	48
90%	19	95
80%	38	190
50%	95	475

Informing the school of your child’s absence

If your child is absent for any reason, the school must be informed by the parent/guardian on the first day of absence and every consecutive day of absences. The school should be notified no later than 09:00 each day to ensure that we can account for your child’s wellbeing.

To report a student absence parents should email attendance@dysonperrins.co.uk or call the school absence line on 01684 564751.

Punctuality

Students are expected in school by 8.35am. If students arrive in school after the register has closed they are marked as unauthorised absence (U code) for that half-day session.

	Register opens	Register closes
Morning registration	8.40am	9.20am
Afternoon registration	1.45pm	2.40pm

Leave of absence

Parents and guardians are strongly advised that leave of absence is not to be taken during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances do not include family holidays and can only be authorised by the Headteacher or designated member of staff. To request authorised absence parents/carers must complete a ‘Request for Leave of Absence’ form available from school office or email attendance@dysonperrins.co.uk in advance of the absence. Please be aware that taking a family holiday during term time, unless agreed in advance under exceptional circumstances, will be coded as unauthorised absence and may lead to a fixed penalty notice.

Support for Parents / Carers

The school is eager to work with families to identify barriers and strategies to improve school attendance. If you are struggling with your child’s attendance, please contact our attendance team by emailing attendance@dysonperrins.co.uk or via reception on 01684 564751.

Staged approach to managing low attendance

Where attendance falls below the expected levels the school will follow a staged approach in order to intervene.

Useful documents

Dyson Perrins Attendance Policy 

Dyson Perrins School Attendance Guidance

Children’s Commissioner support for families https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/back-into-school/resources-for-families/  

NHS guidance on when your child is too ill to attend school NHS guidance

DfE Working together to support school attendance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance

Worcestershire Council’s Legal Information for Parents and Carers leaflet

Worcestershire Council’s Penalty Notice Fines summary leaflet