Hagley Catholic High School

Our School

Attendance

Why is attendance so important?

Consistent attendance is essential for success—whether in school, at work, or at events. It reflects commitment, reliability, and respect for the time and effort of others. When individuals show up consistently, it helps maintain productivity, fosters collaboration, and builds a stronger, more dependable community.

Benefits of good attendance:

Best opportunity for every student to progress and succeed
Build Stronger friendships and relationships
Strong habits for life
Build routine, responsibility and confidence
A child is twice as likely to get 5 good GCSEs at grade 5+ with an attendance of >96%

Parental Expectations

Aim for at least 96% attendance, check your Arbor app regularly
Ensuring a good bedtime routine to enable your child to get enough sleep.
Establishing a good routine each evening and each morning so your child is prepared for the school day ahead.
Arranging dental and medical appointments outside school hours wherever possible.
Discussing any problems or difficulties with the school as soon as they arise – staff are here to help
Talking positively to your child about school and taking an interest in their school day
Ensure your child is on time and punctual to school everyday

We know being a parent/carer can be challenging at times. We are here to help if there are any problems affecting your child. Do please speak with your child’s Head of Year in the first instance or contact attendance_hchs@emmausmac.com

HOLIDAY EXPECATIONS

We kindly ask parents to avoid taking holidays during term time, as these cannot be authorised. Regular school attendance is crucial for every child’s academic progress and social development. Time missed in class can lead to gaps in learning that are difficult to make up. Lessons build on each other, and even a short absence can disrupt your child’s understanding and confidence. Additionally, taking holidays during term time may lead to fines or penalties in line with government guidelines. We appreciate your support in prioritising your child’s education by planning holidays during official school breaks

Attendance Matters

Proverbs 4:1-5 (NIV): "Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father... Then he taught me, and he said to me, 'Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.'"

In the UK, students are expected to attend school for 190 days each academic year, which equates to approximately 38 weeks in total.

A 5% drop in attendance (e.g. from 95–100% to 90–95%) lowers the chance of success at Key Stage 4 by around 50%.

Only around 35.6% of pupils who miss more than 10% of sessions attain Grade 9–4 in English & Maths, compared with 83.7% of pupils with no absence

Punctuality Matters

Punctuality is an important part of being responsible and respectful. Arriving on time shows readiness to learn, helps avoid disruptions, and sets a positive tone for the day. When students are punctual, they don’t miss key instructions or learning opportunities—and they help create a calm, focused environment for everyone. Being on time is a small habit that builds lifelong skills in time management and reliability.