Research proves that children who attend school regularly will be more successful academically and socially.
At The John Frost School we consider excellent attendance to be above 98%, but expect all of our students to be in school for a minimum of 96% of the time.
For more information on our attendance and punctuality expectations, please read the parent guide which can be found in this section.
Attendance and Punctuality Parent Guide
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY EXPECTATIONS
Every parent wants their child to do well at school. Research proves that children who attend school regularly will be more successful academically and socially. At The John Frost School we consider excellent attendance to be above 98%, but expect all of our students to be in school for a minimum of 96% of the time.
At the end of each month, the school will communicate the attendance record of every student. This includes a rank of each student, which allows parents to evaluate their child’s attendance record against the school’s attendance target and their peers.
PUNCTUALITY
Students are expected to be on site at 8:30am and prepared for registration at 8:40am. Being punctual is a very important life skill. At The John Frost School we recognise the importance of developing this skill, and therefore we have high expectations of our students. Students are required to attend morning registration at 8:40am and 2:05pm for afternoon registration. Students arriving more than five minutes late will be given a late mark. Students with three late marks in one week will be referred to our Isolation Room and parents will be contacted. If a student arrives after morning registration has finished at 9:00am, then they are expected to sign in at Reception. Students arriving at 9:10am will receive a 'U' code (unauthorised absence) which classifies students as arriving after the registers have closed.
Students who are continually late to lessons will receive a sanction from the school to ensure the amount of learning time lost is a kept to a minimum.
DEALING WITH ABSENCE
As a school, although we would ideally like all of our students to be in school 100% of the time, we know this is not always possible. Therefore, if a student is to be absent from school, we expect a parent or carer to contact the school’s Attendance Line on 01633 654111 or 0786 005 5775. This is a 24-hour service. Please leave a message stating your child’s name, year, form group, reason for, and length of absence.
Our school policy is not to authorise holidays during term time. However, if you are aware of a circumstance that may result in your child missing school for any reason, then please complete the electronic leave of absence request form using the link or QR code below:
https://forms.office.com/r/JzczsLG3Kj
Please note, authorisation is at the Headteacher’s discretion.
ILLNESS
Our expectation is that every child attends school a minimum of 96% of the time. Whilst we appreciate that your child may become ill throughout the year, we will not authorise excessive illness, unless medical evidence has been provided.
MEDICAL APPOINTMENT
We advise all parents to try and avoid arranging medical appointments during the school day, as this will have a negative effect on a student’s attendance. Where this is not possible, we would request parents to provide medical appointment evidence to the school’s Attendance Officer in advance of the appointment. We also request that parents consider making medical appointments at times which will allow your child to attend at least one of the registration periods within a school day.
To inform the school that your child has a medical condition, we request that you complete our Healthcare Needs Medical Form using the QR code below or by clicking the following link https://forms.office.com/e/9DjbeY22uN.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE
The Welsh Government produce annually a School Attendance and Religious Festivals guidance document for schools which lists all of the religious festivals in 2024. If your child is celebrating a religious festival throughout this academic year, please complete the Religious Observance Form below. Your child will then receive an 'R' code (authorised absence) on their Registration Certificate. Please note this code will negatively impact your childs overall attendance percentage.
School Attendance and Religious Festivals Guidance
Religious Observance Form 2024 2025
ATTENDANCE SUPPORT
We support all of our students to provide them with the best possible opportunities for achieving a high level of academic and personal success. If your child’s attendance falls below the school’s target of 96%, then you will be contacted by either your child’s Form Tutor, Progress Coordinator, the Family Engagement Officer or the Education Welfare Officer.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
The school is able to send and receive electronic communication with parents using email and/or text message. When your child is absent from school the Attendance Officer will send a text message notification for each and every session of absence. Please save 0786 005 5775 as a text contact in your phone as The John Frost School. If you wish to email the school for any reason, please send all communication to 6804020_Reception@Hwbcymru.net