Attendance
Stronger Together - You Belong
At Queensbridge we care deeply about every member of our community and are committed to providing every child with the best possible opportunities to develop character, skills and academic knowledge. As such, we prioritise the significance of regular attendance, believing this not only ensures students stay on track academically, but that it also fosters responsibility and discipline, essential qualities for their future.
Our dedicated team track each student's attendance daily and reach out to families to offer support and guidance if needed. Our aim is to ensure students are back in the classroom where they belong; we believe that being physically present, on time and then actively engaging in the learning process lays the foundation for a bright and successful future.
What do we expect from pupils?
- To be punctual and arrive on school site by 8.40am every day.
- To ensure every lesson is attended punctually.
- To talk to form tutors, heads of year or other key listed individuals should any concerns arise around punctuality or attendance.
What do we expect from parents?
- To ensure that their child/children attend school, punctually, on a daily basis.
- To inform the school through EduLink, email or by telephone (0121 464 5566) by 8.00am with the reason for a child's absence
- To ensure that holidays are not taken in term time. This will not be authorised.
- To be aware that pupils who arrive after 9.15am and/or are absent without reason, are issued with an unauthorised absence which will have a significant impact on their attendance figure and their preparation for learning for that day.
- Monitor their child's attendance using EduLink.
What should parents/carers expect from Queensbridge?
- Regular contact home when pupils are absent or not punctual to school.
- A celebration of pupils who hold high levels of attendance.
- To arrange meetings with parents/carers when attendance is a cause for concern (actions will begin following 3 days of absence).
A pupil only needs to have reached 19 days of absence before they become and remain persistently absent (below 90%) for the academic year. Research has proved that absence of this level or lower, will lead to a pupil achieving below their potential, and in some cases by up to the 3 grades below. All actions undertaken are to support avoiding such a situation.
We have adopted the Birmingham City Council Support First programme in order to rigorously promote excellent attendance and punctuality, and to support families who may be struggling. In situations where a pupil has accumulated 5 days of unauthorised absence, the Support First procedure would begin. Should no improvement be seen, a fine can be issued for up to £160 in the first instance; in severe situations, the case could be presented at Magistrates' Court, leading to a possible criminal record for 'failure to safeguard a child's education'.
