Attendance & Punctuality

Being punctual and having an excellent attendance record are habits we seek to encourage in students and are qualities much appreciated by employers. Students should aim to arrive at school in good time to enter at 8.50 a.m. in the morning and at 1.05 p.m. in the afternoon. Each member of staff is responsible in the first instance for ensuring that students are in their tutor room or classroom by the time the first bell goes. If students are late staff will apply some form of sanction. If pupils are very late i.e. after 9.05 am. or 1.20 p.m. they must go to the school office immediately so that we know they are present in school.

When a student is going to be absent for a longer period arrangements can be made for work to be sent home so that students do not fall too far behind in their school work. Any unexplained absences are a cause for concern and will be followed up by the Educational Social Workers (ESW‘s). It is their job, on behalf of the Education Authority, to call on homes where we are unsure of the reasons for a child‘s absence.
Please avoid school time when arranging family holidays.

Students are not allowed to leave the school premises during the school day without the permission of a senior member of staff. Students requiring medical treatment during the day should bring a note of explanation to their form teacher and should go to the school office to sign out and on returning to school sign back in. In exceptional circumstances you may need to discuss the situation with your child‘s form tutor.