Attendance and Punctuality
Why Attendance Matters
Good attendance helps your child achieve their best—both in learning and in their social life. We want every student to have the best chances for future success.
We work with families to support good attendance, especially when it falls below 96%.
Our Expectation
- Students should attend school at least 96% of the time.
- The Government state good attendance is 95% or above.
- Below 90% attendance is classed as Persistently Absent.
- Missing school affects progress:
- 80% attendance = more than 1 month of school missed each year.
- Students below 90% attendance have only a 27% chance of achieving their target grades.
- Even 90% attendance adds up to half a school year missed over 5 years.
School days vs family days
- 190 school days
- 175 non-school days (for holidays, appointments, family time)
Students who attend 95% or more generally perform better. Poor attendance can impact learning, wellbeing, and confidence.
If your child is struggling, please contact their Year Office so we can help early.
Call: 01642 277700 ask for Year Office
For non-urgent matters email:
Year 7: co2030@acklamgrange.org.uk
Year 8: co2029@acklamgrange.org.uk
Year 9: co2028@acklamgrange.org.uk
Year 10: co2027@acklamgrange.org.uk
Year 11: co2026@acklamgrange.org.uk
Reporting Absence
When you contact school, please give a specific reason for the absence.
Messages such as “ill/unwell/not well” cannot be authorised without more information.
If a student has a sniffle we ask for your support in being resilient with getting that student into school – in the same way that we would be resilient in getting to work
Absence line: 01642 277700 option 1
Email: attendance@acklamgrange.org.uk
Medical Appointments
- Please try to arrange appointments outside school hours.
- If the appointment is urgent, your child should attend school before and after the appointment where possible.
- We may request medical evidence, especially if attendance is below 95%.
- Please call or email to update if planned appointment absence times change
Accepted evidence includes:
- Prescription
- Hospital letter
- Signed note from GP/nurse
- Medication with pharmacy label
- Appointment card (appointment time only)
Lateness
School starts at 8.30am.
- Arrival after 8.30am = late mark
- Arrival after 9.15am = unauthorised absence, unless medical evidence is provided
Minutes late per day add up to missed learning:
| Minutes late | Days lost per year | Lessons missed |
| 5 min | 3.4 days | 17 lessons |
| 10 min | 6.9 days | 35 lessons |
| 15 min | 10.3 days | 51 lessons |
| 20 min | 13.8 days | 69 lessons |
| 30 min | 20.7 days | 104 lessons |
Leave of Absence
Leave of Absence is only approved in exceptional circumstances.
It may be granted for:
- Countylevel events
- Highlevel performance activities
- Activities with clear educational value
Leave will not be granted for:
- Holidays during term time
- Events that could happen in school holidays
- More than one performancerelated activity
- Requests made after the absence (except in exceptional cases)
Unauthorised leave may lead to a penalty notice issued by Middlesbrough Council.
How School Communicates with You
- You will receive a message if your child is absent without explanation.
- You must contact school each day your child is off.
- If we do not hear from you, the day will be marked unauthorised.
Attendance line: 01642 277700 option 1
Email: attendance@acklamgrange.org.uk
If a Student Is Sent Home
- The absence is authorised only if school contacts you.
- If your child calls you directly, please ask them to go to the Year Office/Student Services.
A First Aider will assess them and contact you if they need to go home.