Attendance

At Stowmarket High School we are committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all our students. To support the objective of ensuring that students receive a high-quality education it is important to remember that regular school attendance is an essential part of giving children the best possible start in life. The aim should be to attend 100% of the time. Students who miss school frequently can fall behind with their work and do less well in exams. Good attendance also shows potential employers that a young person is reliable.

Every student has a right to access the education to which he/she is entitled. Parents and teachers share the responsibility for supporting and promoting excellent school attendance and punctuality for all.  For our students to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered, it is vital that each student is at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. 

The routines students develop around attendance and punctuality at school are the same as the expectations of any future employer in the world of work. High attainment, confidence with peers and staff, and future aspirations depend on good attendance.  It is important that students arrive on time at the start of the school day. The morning registration session is used to give out instructions and used to help students prepare for the day. If a child is late, he/she can miss work, time with the form tutor, affecting their full day at school. 

At Stowmarket High School, the day begins with the students in their registration room at 8:45am and all students are expected to be in school at this time.  If a student is late due to a medical appointment, he/she will receive an authorised absence coded ‘M’. Please be advised that, where possible, doctors’ and dentists’ appointments should be made outside school hours or during school holidays.  

Students who are consistently late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of the other students. The school may request a meeting to tackle persistent lateness.   Please be aware of the following procedures:

  • All students need to be in their tutor room by 8.45am
  • Any student arriving after 8.50am will be classified as late. This will be reflected in the register with a late mark 
  • The bottom gate (closest to the leisure centre) will be closed at 8.45am and any student trying to enter the school site after this time, will need to walk to the front of school to gain access 
  • If a student arrives in school before 9.10am they should always make their way to their form room where the form tutor will discuss their late arrival
  • Students should only sign in late with the attendance officer if they arrive to school after 9.10am

Thank you for supporting your child’s attendance and punctuality to school. We trust that your child’s full attendance and punctuality will be encouraged. If you have further questions, please contact your child’s Head of Year. 

Please make sure that your son/daughter attends school on a regular basis – it is vital for their success in exams.

To report an absence please call the main school number 01449 613541 and select option 1 or by emailing attendance@stowhigh.com

We will NOT authorise holidays as  a matter of course.  Our default position is NOT to authorise requests for holidays.

Should you have a request for your child to be absent from school please request a Leave of Absence Request Form. 

Absence Request Form
Student Guide to Attendance
Attendance Statistics
School Attendance Policy