Key Information

Attendance

To report an absence, please call the Attendance Office on 01323 746508 as soon as possible.

 

Please note that between the hours of 8am and 9.30am this number will be for messages only. Alternatively you can email absence@cavendishschool.net

 

Regular Attendance

Regular attendance means your child can make the most of their education, improving their chances in adult life. School gives your child a wide range of experiences in the form of academic lessons, educational trips and clubs. The more your child is in school the more they increase their opportunity to fulfil their potential.  

School can also help your child’s social skills, such as making and keeping friendships. A regular and punctual attendance pattern will help your child when they enter the world of work.

Illness in school

  • If pupils are unwell during school hours they should report to the Medical Room.
  • If a pupil has an elevated temperature and/or is displaying signs of illness parents will be contacted by the school and if necessary, asked to collect their child from school.
  • Pupils with minor ailments will be encouraged to stay in school where possible.
  • We do not normally contact parents if pupils are reporting headaches/tummy aches etc unless we have a cause for concern.
  • We ask that parents do not arrive at school to collect pupils unless this has been agreed with a member of staff.

If your child requires medication in school, please complete and return a Parental Consent form for medications. Please be aware that if pupils are collected from school prior to a discussion with school staff the absence may not be authorised.

Parental Consent form for medications

Absences

It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to provide an explanation for their child’s absence from school. It is the responsibility of the school to decide if an absence is authorised.

Contact the Attendance Office as soon as possible on the first and each subsequent day of an absence, stating the reason for the absence and when your child is likely to return.

If no reason for absence is received, the school will contact you, usually by text. If there is no response the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Withdrawal From Learning

Holidays during term time are strongly discouraged and will not be authorised. If you need to take your child out of school during term time you must complete and return a Withdrawal from learning application.

The application must include the dates your child will be absent from school and explain any exceptional circumstances surrounding the request for leave of absence.  We will contact you by letter to advise whether or not the request has been authorised.

Withdrawal from Learning 

Punctuality

Lateness has a negative impact. Being late every day adds up over the school year:

  • 5 minutes adds up to 3 days lost
  • 10 minutes adds up to 6 days lost
  • 30 minutes adds up to 19 days lost

Pupils who are late miss out on important information during tutor time. Lateness can disrupt lessons and affect your child’s achievement.

Parents/Carers can help by
  • Ensuring contact information (addresses and telephone numbers) is kept up to date
  • Ensuring your child arrives at school on time (before 8.35am), properly dressed and prepared for learning
  • Where possible, providing medical evidence for any illness – this may be required if your child’s attendance falls below 91%

Medical/Dental Appointments

It is not normal practice to authorise a whole day for appointments. Try to make routine dental and medical appointments during holidays or after the school day.

Where this is not possible, your child should only be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary for the appointment.

Attendance Improvement Meeting

If your child does not attend school regularly you will be contacted by the school to discuss any concerns they may have about your child’s attendance. You may be invited to an Attendance Support Meeting at the school. 

If you are worried about your child’s attendance please contact the school to discuss your concerns. Your child’s tutor may be able to help you or direct you to appropriate support.

You can find information on school attendance provided by East Sussex County Council below:

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/educationandlearning/schools/attendance-behaviour/

East Sussex County Council’s Code of Conduct for the provision of administering Penalty Notices for non-school attendance

%

of pupils achieved 9-4 in English.

After School programs

%

of pupils achieved 9-4 in Maths.

Years Established

Celebrating Success

The staff and governors of Cavendish wish to congratulate all of our Year 11 pupils for the fantastic GCSE grades they have achieved this year.

Headteacher, Peter Marchant said, "The grades that our pupils have achieved are a reflection of their hard work throughout their time at the school and they can rightly feel proud of what they have achieved through these  challenging times."