Attendance

Why Attendance Matters 

Regular attendance is essential for your child’s learning, wellbeing and future opportunities. We expect every pupil to attend school every day, on time, unless they are genuinely too unwell to do so. 

Good attendance means: 

• Better progress and achievement 

• Stronger friendships and confidence 

• Improved long-term life chances 

Missing school— even a few days—quickly affects learning and confidence. 

 

Our Expectations of Parents 

We ask all parents to: 

• Ensure your child attends daily and arrives by 8.20am for registration at 8.30am. 

• Report absence by 8.30am via absence@harriswimbledon.org.uk or 020 3962 4300 (option 2). 

• Provide an accurate reason for absence. 

• Arrange medical or dental appointments outside school hours whenever possible. 

• Request any planned absence in advance, using the Leave of Absence form. 

• Work with us if your child’s attendance drops or if there are difficulties getting to school. 

 

Absence: Authorised vs Unauthorised 

Authorised absences may include: 

• Genuine illness 

• Emergency medical or dental appointments 

• Religious observance 

• Exceptional circumstances agreed by the Principal 

Unauthorised absences include: 

• Term-time holidays 

• Absence without a valid reason 

• Arriving after registers close 

• Repeated minor illnesses without medical evidence 

Unauthorised absence may lead to formal action, including penalty notices. 

 

How to Report an Absence 

Please contact us before 8.30am on the first day of absence and each day after: 

• Email: absence@harriswimbledon.org.uk 

• Phone: 020 3962 4300 (option 2) 

If we do not hear from you, we will contact you by phone or text to ensure your child is safe. 

 

Punctuality 

Pupils must arrive by 8.20am. 
Lateness disrupts learning and may result in same-day detentions. Persistent lateness will be followed up with families. 

 

Support for Pupils Who Struggle to Attend 

Some pupils face additional challenges such as medical conditions, anxiety, or special educational needs. We will work closely with families to: 

• Understand barriers to attendance 

• Offer reasonable adjustments or support 

• Engage external agencies where needed 

• Agree temporary part-time timetables only when absolutely necessary and regularly reviewed 

 

Persistent and Severe Absence 

• Below 90% attendance = Persistent Absence 

• Below 50% attendance = Severe Absence 

We will contact families early, carry out meetings, offer support plans, and involve the Education Welfare Officer if attendance does not improve. 

 

Legal Responsibilities and Penalty Notices 

Parents are legally required to ensure regular school attendance. 
Where support does not lead to improvement, the local authority may issue: 

• Attendance contracts 

• Penalty notices (fines) 

• Education Supervision Orders 

• Prosecution in serious cases 

Penalty notices may be issued when a child has 10 sessions (5 days) of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period. 

 

Children Missing Education 

If a child is absent for 10 consecutive days without explanation, or there are safeguarding concerns, the school must involve the local authority. This is to ensure the child is safe. 

 

Key Contacts 

Senior Attendance Champion 
Ross Arnold, Vice Principal 
020 3962 4300 | r.arnold@harriswimbledon.org.uk 

Attendance Officer 
absence@harriswimbledon.org.uk 

 

Attendance Policy