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Attendance and Punctuality
The Birkenhead Park School is committed to ensuring our students make the best progress they are capable of, therefore good attendance is essential. For any child to gain the greatest benefit from their education, it is vital that they attend school regularly. We expect 100% attendance, although we understand there are times that students are unwell.
We are currently running several attendance competitions for our students. Please see below for full details of what we expect from our students regarding their attendance.
Punctuality
The school day starts at 8:35am and we expect all students arrive at their Form Class by that time. School recommends that students arrive at school by 8:30am.
Students who arrive after 8:35am will be marked as late and will complete a break detention on the same day. Birkenhead Park School will inform you daily if your child arrives late for school.
Persistent lateness can result in a referral to the Local Authority and attract further sanctions, such as the issuing of an Education Penalty Notice.
Why Regular attendance is important
The Birkenhead Park School is committed to ensuring that our students make the best progress they are capable of, therefore great attendance is essential. Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and will seriously affect their learning. Absence disrupts teaching routines so will affect the learning of your child and others. Just 1 day's absence equals 5 hours of lost learning.
Our focus on attendance at Birkenhead Park School is a key part of keeping our students safe. This is because persistent absenteeism and changes in patterns of attendance are an indicator that something is wrong, and as a school we have a duty of care to take action. Regular absence, particularly unexplained absence, is a red flag for Safeguarding issues, such as neglect and child exploitation. Any child not attending school regularly will be reviewed by our Designated Safeguarding Lead and this may result in referrals to other agencies, including Social Care.
Reporting An Absence
Parents should phone school each day, unless the student has been advised to remain off school, for a specific period of time. Where this is the case, medical evidence should be provided, so the absence can be authorised. If we do not hear from you Birkenhead Park School will contact you daily via In Touch in the form of a text message. You can reply to this free of charge.
Absences can also be reported via email at office@birkenheadparkschool.com, and include the following information:
• Student name
• Tutor Group
• Reason for absence
• Possible length of time the student will be out of school
Leave of Absence
Leave of Absence during term time, will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Holidays are not exceptional circumstances and will not be authorised. If you need to apply for Leave of Absence, please ask your son/daughter to fill in the application for leave during term time, please click here.
Any period of leave taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed, will be classed as unauthorised and may attract sanctions such as an Education Penalty Notice.
Attendance Team
The Birkenhead Park school has an Attendance Team which consists of:-
Mrs Morton: Attendance Officer - Year 7 and 8 - Telephone - 0151 652 1574. Ext 400
Email: mom@birkenheadparkschool.com
Mrs Lloyd: Attendance Officer - Year 9 and 10 - Telephone - 0151 652 1574. Ext 418
Email: gly@birkenheadparkschool.com
Miss Tisdale: Attendance Manager - Year 11 - Telephone - 0151 652 1574. Ext 202
Email: kti@birkenheadparkschool.com
In addition to this, you can also speak to your child’s Head of Year, Pastoral Leader or Inclusion Assistant if you have any concerns regarding your son/daughter’s attendance.
Previous Attendance Competitions
