Attendance

At Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, we believe that excellent attendance is vital for every student's success. Attending school regularly not only ensures academic progress, but also helps students develop strong social skills, build lasting friendships, and gain essential life experiences such as teamwork, cultural awareness, and an understanding of future career pathways.

Conversely, poor attendance can have serious consequences, including underachievement and increased vulnerability to harm, such as Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), radicalisation, or becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

We expect every student to aim for at least 97% attendance. While parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure regular attendance, we are committed to working in partnership with families to promote good attendance and provide support where needed.

Attendance is closely monitored as part of our safeguarding responsibility. Registers are taken twice daily — once in the morning and once in the afternoon — and attendance is tracked throughout the day. Early intervention is key, and we act quickly where patterns of absence or persistent absenteeism emerge, ensuring all students can access their full educational entitlement.

For more information, please see our policies section, including the Behaviour, Uniform and Appearance Policy and the Attendance Policy.

The school's Behaviour and Attendance policies are available on our website.

What can I do to help?

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As a parent or carer
you can help by:

As a student,
you can improve your attendance by:
  • Ensuring your child understands the importance of excellent attendance and punctuality.
  • Taking an interest in their education – asking about school work and encourage them to get involved in school activities.
  • Discussing any problems they may have at school and contact your child's Head of Year / Pastoral team to pass on concerns quickly.
  • Not allowing them take time off school for minor ailments – particularly those which would not prevent you from going to work.
  • Arranging appointments after school hours, at weekends or during school holidays will help to prevent disruption to your child’s education and to the school.
  • Being open and willing to work with us to improve your child’s attendance.
  • Speaking to a trusted adult about the reasons why you might not want to come to school.
  • Trying hard every morning to get up and get to school, unless you are really unwell.
  • Getting an early night, feeling tired on a morning can make getting to school harder.
  • Making sure you get to school on time every day.

 

What do I do if my child is not well enough to come to school?

Dedicated Absence Line:
  • All absences must be reported via our dedicated absence line 01375 400800 (Option 1) for years 7 -11, (Option 2) for 6th form students.
  • Parents must state their child's full name, registration form, and reason for absence.
Reporting Time:
  • All absences must be reported before 8:00am on the day of absence.
Communication Method:
  • Emails for any form of absence (including appointments, lateness, and early departures) will not be accepted.
  • Only phone calls will be accepted, and proof of appointment must be physically shown to the attendance team to authorise the absence.
  • If medical evidence for an appointment is not shown to either the form tutor or the attendance office, pupils will not be allowed to leave the school site.
Daily Notification:
  • Parents must notify the school every day that their child is absent.
Appointment Notification:
  • The school must be notified 48 hours in advance of a child's appointment.
Medical Evidence:
  • Only pictures of medical evidence will be accepted via email at attendance@gablehall.com - Absences should not be reported through this email.

Returning to School After an Absence

Note Requirement:
  • Upon returning to school, all pupils must provide a signed and dated handwritten note explaining the reason for their absence.
  • Even if a call was made to the school, a written note is still required.
Submission of Notes:
  • All notes must be submitted to the attendance office to ensure absences are properly coded.
Recording Absences:
  • Absences should not be recorded in the pupil's planner.
Medical Evidence:
  • Medical evidence can be provided to the attendance team to support the coding of the absence.

Lateness = lost learning

  • 5 minutes late each day 3 days lost
  • 10 minutes late each day 6.5 days lost
  • 15 minutes late each day 10 days lost
  • 20 minutes late each day 13 days lost
  • 30 minutes late each day 19 days lost

Average earnings

  • 0 Qualifications = £7.44 per hour
  • GCSEs = £9.02 per hour 'A' Levels = £10.25 per hour
  • Graduate degree = £15.01 per hour

School x Attendance = Success

  • 1 in 5 pupils miss 19 days a year. These pupils will drop at least ONE GCSE GRADE in each of your subjects.
  • 1-4 GCSE grades can increase your wages by 17%
  • 5 or more GCSE grades 5 to 9 can increase your wages by 41%
  • If you improve your attendance by 1% you could see a 5-6% improvement in your attainment

If you are concerned about your child’s school attendance, it is always best to talk to us first. We have a dedicated Attendance Team who are here to help students and families. Students with attendance of less than 97% are monitored closely. Each year group also has the specialist support of a pastoral support officer who will be able to offer intensive support and guidance to students and families to help improve attendance.

Attendance Officer Email:attendance@gablehall.com

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