Good attendance is essential for good education and achievement, poor attendance harms children’s education.  The college gives a high priority to good attendance, rewarding those whose attendance is excellent.  The college also follows up any unauthorised absences and other prolonged absences.  By law we must keep records of attendance and the reasons for absence.  We must also publish this information annually.

If a student is likely to be absent from college then please telephone the same morning or contact school via the attendance e-mail (absences@ alfretongrange.derbyshire.sch.uk) or where possible write a separate note in your child’s planner in advance.  Punctuality is important both in education and employment.  We will set detentions for those who are late to college without an appropriate reason. The college strongly discourages any holidays during term time.  The maximum allowable family holiday time is 2 college weeks during the working year but this is not an automatic right and will not be allowed if your son/daughter’s attendance rate is less than 95%.  Always check your child’s examination dates before booking a holiday.  This applies to Year 10 and 11 students in particular who will have GCSE’s. 

We have a system to monitor student attendance.  You will receive a telephone call or letter if your son or daughter is absent without our knowledge.  We are supported by the Education Social Worker who will visit students at home when attendance becomes a concern. 

Parents/carers need to be aware that more than 20 half days of unauthorised absence will trigger the mechanism for a fixed penalty notice of £100 per student.

The college expects parents to arrange medical and dental appointments outside of college hours.  The college will also expect a doctors note where there are medical absences that are affecting the students ability to keep up with normal lessons.  If a student has to attend a medical or dental appointment, they will be expected to return to college and are not entitled to take the rest of the day off unless absolutely necessary.

Parents of students who miss national examinations (GCSE’s, AS and A2 levels etc.) will be charged the examination fee unless the absence is supported by a doctor’s note.