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Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to students’ learning, wellbeing and future success. Every child of compulsory school age has a right to a full-time education, and parents are legally responsible for ensuring that their child attends school regularly and on time.
All Chelmer Valley students, including those in the Sixth Form, are expected to attend every day and be in their tutor group by 8.30am.
Contact Us about Attendance
If your child is unable to attend, you must contact the school before 8.30am on the first day and every subsequent day of absence.
Email: attendance@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
Telephone: 01245 440232
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The Senior Leaders responsible for the strategic approach to attendance in our school are: |
Mr J Groves and Mrs K Cooper |
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The staff member students and parents should contact about attendance on a day-to day basis is: |
Ms J Bond |
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For individual support with attendance, students and parents should contact the pastoral lead for the appropriate year group: |
Year 7: Mr R McCarthy Year 8: Mrs B Trippick Year 9: Mr M Nicholls Year 10: Mrs K Williamson Year 11: Ms H Edmonds 6th Form: Mr J Beadle |
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Reporting an absence does not automatically mean that it will be authorised. The school decides whether an absence meets the criteria for an authorised absence.
If you are concerned about your child’s attendance, contact Ms J Bond or your child’s Head of Year as early as possible. Please do not wait for their attendance to fall significantly before asking for help.
What parents need to do
Parents and carers are expected to:
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ensure their child attends school every day and arrives on time;
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report any absence before 8.30am on every day of absence;
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provide an accurate reason for absence and respond promptly when the school makes contact;
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arrange routine medical and dental appointments outside school hours wherever possible;
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work with the school to identify and address barriers to attendance;
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engage with meetings, support plans and reasonable adjustments offered by the school; and
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request any leave of absence in advance.
There is no entitlement to take a holiday or other recreational leave during term time. Leave can only be granted, in advance, by the headteacher in exceptional circumstances.
Illness and attendance
Being unwell does not automatically mean that a student needs to miss school. Students with minor illnesses can usually attend and should do so unless they are too unwell to take part in the school day.
Illness absence can be authorised where a student is unable to attend because of a physical or mental health condition. Where support or reasonable adjustments could enable a student to attend, we will work with the student and family to consider what can be put in place.
In most cases, a parent’s explanation will be sufficient. The school may request reasonable evidence where illness absence is prolonged or repeatedly affects attendance, or where further information is needed to plan appropriate support.
Worry, anxiety and mental health
Worry and mild or moderate anxiety can be difficult, but students experiencing these feelings are usually expected to attend school. Attendance provides routine, trusted relationships, learning and access to support. Prolonged absence can increase anxiety and make returning more difficult.
Our aim is attendance with appropriate support, rather than waiting for every anxious feeling to disappear before a student returns.
If anxiety or another mental health concern is affecting attendance, contact us early. Depending on the student’s needs, support might include:
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meeting a trusted adult at the start of the day;
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a calm or supported arrival;
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access to a quieter space at break or lunchtime;
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pastoral or SEND support;
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adjustments to particular routines;
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a pupil interview and attendance plan; or
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a time-limited reintegration plan where this is appropriate.
We can usually support students more effectively when they are in school.
NHS guidance for parents - "Is my child too ill for school"
UK Health Security Agency Guidance on attendance
Support available at Chelmer Valley
Our universal attendance support includes:
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Breakfast Club from 8.00am;
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support from form tutors, Heads of Year and the pastoral team;
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quieter spaces at break and lunchtime;
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SEND advice and reasonable adjustments where appropriate;
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Homework Club after school (Mon to Thurs);
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early-help discussions and attendance action plans; and
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pupil and family meetings to understand and address barriers.
Where a student has a complex or long-term health condition, we will work with the family and appropriate health, local authority and external professionals.
Aquinas School Attendance Provisions
Aquinas School Attendance Provisions is our external attendance partner. It provides additional support with attendance monitoring, pupil interviews, family engagement and formal intervention.
Aquinas is accredited by Essex Police under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. Parents and students may be invited to meet with Aquinas as part of an attendance support plan. Families can also request an independent conversation with Aquinas through the school Attendance Team.
https://www.aquinasprovisions.com/whatwedo.html
What happens when attendance becomes a concern?
We monitor attendance closely and respond early:
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Below 95%: we will normally contact the family and begin exploring any emerging barriers.
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Below 93%: a meeting, pupil interview or more formal attendance plan may be arranged.
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90% or below: the student is persistently absent. More formal support and regular reviews will be required.
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50% or below: the student is severely absent. This requires intensive, coordinated support with the local authority and other agencies.
Where support is not successful or is not engaged with, the school may formalise its response and consider legal intervention. The national threshold requires schools to consider a penalty notice when there have been 10 sessions of unauthorised absence within a rolling ten-week period.
Self-help guides for parents, carers and students
These short guides contain practical steps families can use at home while working with the school:
These guides do not replace individual support. Students should speak to their form tutor, Head of Year or another trusted adult if they are struggling.
Independent information and external support
If you are unsure which service is appropriate, contact the school and we will help you identify the right route.
Policies, forms and downloads
DfE guidance - working together to improve school attendance
