At Beckfoot Hazelbeck, we understand that barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates, and are often specific to individual pupils and families. We therefore want to ensure that we support our pupils and their families to attend school regularly by making Beckfoot Oakbank a place where pupils want to be. We are committed to creating an environment that is calm, safe and supportive, where all students can enjoy belonging, be ready to learn, and be determined to succeed.
Our Expectations
- Students will attend school every day
- Students will be on time to school and their lessons
- Students will always be prepared for school by having enough sleep, wearing the correct uniform, and having the right equipment
Students meeting these expectations will achieve well, be protected from risk of harm, and secure and maintain positive friendships with their peers at school.
Attendance and Punctuality Policy
Key contacts
Attendance is everyone’s business, and all members of our staff understand they they have a role to play in supporting good attendance. To learn more about our key contacts roles and responsibilities, please view our local attendance protocol.
- Jo Dowson – Assistant Headteacher for Attendance
- Victoria Ullah – Attendance Officer
- Saika Shaheen – Family Liaison Officer
What do I do if my child is not well enough to come to school?
To report an absence, please contact us by 8.25am using attendance group on Class Dojo or telephone 01274 777107 (Saika Shaheen or Vicky Ullah).
If we do not receive any communication, you will receive a phone call home from one of our dedicated attendance officers. A home visit may be made depending on the student’s attendance record and the nature of the absence. On returning to school, the student must take responsibility to catch up on any work missed.
Student’s attendance is monitored daily. Home visits will be conducted by members of the attendance team if a student’s attendance becomes a concern. The purpose of home visits are to have conversations with families about their young person’s attendance, complete a safeguarding check, and offer support where needed.
Medical and dental appointments
Medical and dental appointments should be made before or after school wherever possible, however, if an appointment is required during school hours, school should be made aware in advance and their must be provision of some evidence to authorise the absence.
Holidays in term time
Holidays in term times will not be authorised by Beckfoot Oakbank and could lead to penalty notices and fines being issued. These will be issued to the parent/carer liable for the attendance offence.
Punctuality
Punctuality is an important component of Readiness to Learn, and persistent lateness interrupts the education of all children in the class. Where lateness is persistent and does not improve, the Local Code of Conduct allows the school to pursue a Penalty Notice for this reason.
Students arriving after lessons have started at 9am will need to be brought to reception and parents will need to sign in, stating the reason for lateness.
The Attendance team will regularly monitor lateness and discuss any concerns with you and support you with improving punctuality.
How will we support you?
- We will build close and productive relationships with families to ensure that any attendance issues can be tackled and any barriers to attendance are removed.
- Creating intervention or reintegration plans in partnership with our pupils and their parents/carers.
- Encourage good attendance by making our classrooms and school a place where all pupils can and want to be.