Attendance

It is vital that each student attends school daily without any absence at all. There is a clear and direct relationship between school attendance and performance in formal examinations. We expect at least 93% attendance annually – most students actually manage much nearer 100%.

We monitor each student’s attendance daily. You can expect to receive a phone call or text message for a late arrival or non attendance. Please respond to the voice message to let us kno about the absence. This process also identifies students who may be truanting from school and acts as a swift early warning to ensure childrens safety.

Students whose attendance falls below the 93% minimum benchmark receive a warning letter on a half termly basis. We hope this will be seen as a positive reminder that full attendance is good. We also reward good attendance.

Good attendance is an absolute requirement of being part of the Whitley Abbey School community. Our students are asked to value both as key lessons for what will be expected in their working lives.

Punctuality

School starts at 8.45 am. Students must be on site by that time. They are expected to be in their classroom for Lesson One by 8.50 am when a second bell is rung.

A Senior Member of Staff is on duty at the gate each morning and records the names of students who are late. Students who arrive late receive a ½ hour detention during morning break that same day. You will also be informed via a phone call or text message.