Sixth Form Attendance procedure

In order for a student to make maximum academic progress and social and emotional development they should attend school daily. Each day missed results in missed learning opportunities. As a school we set our students the attendance target of 95%, many students exceed this. However, we understand that at times people are ill and unable to attend school. To support you in reporting your son or daughters’ absence we have established a number of ways for you to do this. When reporting your son or daughters’ absence it is essential that you share with us the following information:-

  • Students name, Students tutor group and Reason for absence

Please can we ask that you notify us as soon as possible about any absence, before 8:40am using one of the following methods:

Email us on absence@sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

Call 01749 813393 and press number 1. Please be aware that periods of absence notified via voicemail/phone call must be followed up in writing either by an email or a letter from a parent/guardian on their child’s return. A sickness absence cannot be authorised until an explanatory letter has been received and authorised absence needs to have medical evidence such as a doctor’s note.

Signing In and Out of School

It is a legal requirement that we know who is in the school building at all times. Students must make sure that they sign in each time they enter School then sign out each time they leave the School throughout the day.  Sixth Form students may sign out at lunchtimes.  If any student fails to sign in and out appropriately, or takes advantage of the system in anyway, this arrangement will be retracted and the student will be required to remain in school, all day, every day.

In the event of a student’s attendance falling below an acceptable level of 95%, parents will be contacted and in some cases strategies such as an attendance report card will be implemented to support the student.

Planned Absences – We ask you to avoid booking medical appointments during the school day, however we are aware that at times this is not possible. For planned absences from school or lessons, such as dental/medical appointments or other legitimate reasons, you should provide an appointment card, letter or signed compliments slip from the dentist/hospital confirming your appointment. If this is not provided, then unfortunately we are unable to authorise the absence.

Term time leave –We ask that Parents do not ask for leave during term time. Should leave be required you must seek permission prior to taking the leave. A sixth Form term-time leave application form is available below.  This should be completed and sent to the Attendance Officer via email on absence@sexeys.somerset.sch.uk or passed to the school reception. If leave is requested in term time, the school holds the right to not authorise this absence in line with School and Government Policy.

If you wish to request permission for your child to be absent from Sixth Form during term-time for any reason, please complete the Term-Time Leave Request Form and return it to Ms S Lewis, Attendance Officer at absence@sexeys.somerset.sch.uk.

Copies are also available from outside the Head of Year office.

Driving Lessons

Driving lessons may only be booked in your lunch hour or free periods, not during lesson time, tutor time/PSHE, sixth form games, or study periods.

Driving and Other Students

Students must complete a Driving Permit form, collected from Mrs Crombie or online.  This must include car details as well as insurance documents.

Students are not permitted to carry other students as passengers to and from School without the written permission of their parents/guardian and the passenger’s parents/guardian.

Students are required to notify the School of any passenger who may be travelling with them to and from School on a regular basis.

Throughout the year students will pass their test and it is vital that updates are completed via the Online forms available on the 6th Form Website, you can also speak to Mrs Crombie who will be able to guide you on what is required.

Failure to follow the guidelines of driving and parking safely in the top carpark or during the 6th Form day, when visiting other venues may result in driving privileges being revoked.

Driving Sanctions

Stage 1 – 1st time not meeting driving requirements

  • Loss of social time via a set detention

Stage 2 – 2nd time not meeting driving requirements

  • Loss of privileges during the day to only allow the student to drive to and from 6th
  • Keys handed into 6th Form Office 08:30-15:40

Stage 3 – 3rd time not meeting driving requirements

  • Removal of driving privilege and permit, requiring the student to find alternative ways to get to 6th This will be reviewed every 4 weeks and reinstated if suitable.

At all stages, parents / carers will be informed as well as tutors.

Health Centre – Students may not sign themselves out if they feel unwell.  The Health Centre must deem the student unfit to be in School in order to be sent home with illness.  Day students may only attend the Health Centre at break time and lunch time, unless it is an emergency or have a known condition.  Boarders may go to the Health centre at 8am, break time, lunchtime and after school.

Thank you for your support in ensuring we are made aware of any absences for your son/daughter at your earliest convenience.