Attendance & Punctuality

At The Derby High School, we recognise the strong link between good attendance, punctuality and positive academic progress. Excellent attendance helps students achieve their best, develop independence and prepare for future success.

Why Attendance Matters

Students record their attendance data weekly in their planner and can track their progress using our Attendance Diamond. We encourage every student to aim for the green group – excellent attendance of 97% or above.

Even small absences add up: 97% attendance means a student has missed the equivalent of one full week of school in a year. Research from the Department for Education shows that consistently poor attendance can have a serious impact on academic achievement and future earnings.

To encourage positive habits, we offer a range of rewards and incentives, including:

Cash prize draws and end-of-year badges
Recognition for most improved attendance
Invitations to social and celebration events for those consistently in the green group

Parents will be regularly updated on their child’s attendance, and we will always work in partnership to address any barriers or concerns.

Our Expectations

We have high expectations for attendance and punctuality. Students are expected to:

Attend school every day they are required to be in.
Arrive on site by 8:35am and be in their classroom ready for registration by 8:40am.
Attend every timetabled lesson punctually and fully equipped for learning.

Registers are taken twice daily:

Morning register closes at 9:10am – arrivals after this time are marked as absent.
Afternoon register is taken by 1:00pm.

Reporting Absence

If your child is unable to attend school:

Parents/carers must contact the school before 9:00am on the first day of absence.
Please provide a reason for the absence and an expected return date.
If we have not heard from you by 9:00am, our Attendance or Inclusion Team will make contact by phone or text to ensure your child’s safety.
After two days of unexplained absence, a home visit may be carried out.
For absences lasting five days or more, a written explanation and/or medical evidence may be requested.

These procedures help us to safeguard students and maintain accurate attendance records.

When Attendance Falls Below Expectations

Where attendance or punctuality causes concern:

You may be contacted by your child’s Head of Year or the Inclusion Support Team.
Meetings may be arranged to identify barriers and agree strategies for improvement.
Persistent absence may lead to an Attendance Panel meeting with the Senior Leadership Team and Governors.

In serious cases, the school has a duty to inform the Local Authority, which may result in a penalty notice or legal action.

Punctuality

Arriving on time shows maturity, respect and readiness to learn.

Students must be on the school site by 8:35am each morning.
Repeated lateness will result in a same-day detention and parental contact.

Working Together

We value a strong partnership with parents and carers in promoting excellent attendance. Together, we can ensure that every student remains in the green group, maximises their learning opportunities, and truly lives our school motto:
Inspired to Make a Difference.

The Derby High School Attendance Policy

The Derby High School