Pupil Absence & Attendance
At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, we aim to create an inclusive, nurturing and welcoming ethos in which pupils are stimulated and grow in self-esteem and to experience success.
In supporting students in achieving optimum attendance at school, students are more likely to reach their potential and be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve economic success.
Attendance Goals
We are aiming for over 97% attendance throughout the college. Being at college as much as possible gives students the best start and the best chance of doing well. This means 'ON TIME EVERY TIME'.
Regular lateness over a school year:
- 5 minutes late every day = 3 days lost
- 10 minutes late every day = 6.5 days lost
- 15 minutes late every day = 10 days lost
- 20 minutes late every day = 13 days lost
- 30 minutes late every day = 19 days lost
If your child is late after registration closes, they will be marked as 'U' which means they have arrived at College after registration. A parent(s)/carer(s) can be prosecuted if their
child is late.
A student's guide to being on time
1. Get organised – stick your timetable on a wall where everyone can see it.
2. Get your bag packed the night before.
3. Get an alarm clock/set your phone and set it early enough to have breakfast and get ready without rushing.
4. Go to bed at a reasonable time, and turn off all ‘gadgets’; TVs; I pads; Xbox etc. Put your mobile on ‘night shift.’
A parent's/carer's guide to supporting your child(ren) with their punctuality
If you have to leave for work before your child leaves for college, think about:
- Phoning to make sure they are getting up and getting on.
- Encouraging them to walk to college with a friend who will call at the house.
- Arranging a lift for them.
You will receive a text message if your child arrives late to college.
If your child(ren) is going to be late to college, please call us on the absence phone line to let us know.
Reporting an Absence
If your child is absent, please inform the school by telephone or email on the first day of absence before 8.40 am, and every day after.
Clearly state your child’s name, form, reason for absence and likely return date.
Year 7-11: Please contact the Attendance Hotline on 01543 502215 and press Option 1. You can also email absence@cardinalgriffin.staffs.sch.uk
Year 12-13: Please contact Sixth Form on 01543 502215 ext 278.
On their return to college, please send a letter or note in with your child who will hand this to their Formation Tutor.
We respectfully request that routine medical appointments are made out of college hours so as not to impact on your child’s education. Where they are unavoidable, it is beneficial to make an appointment after your child has registered and that covers part of break or lunchtime, as this has less impact on both their learning and personal attendance record. Please discuss unavoidable absences well in advance of the event.
Any holiday/leave of absence requests should be put to the Headteacher in writing. However, it should be noted that family holidays during term time will not be authorised.