The number one way to succeed at school is to be at school every day!

As a result, Cottenham Village College are unapologetic about insisting on attendance to school, not just for academic purposes, but also to ensure our scholars can access enrichment opportunities, pastoral care, careers conversations, arts and sporting events and where required, links to external services and support.

In addition to this, we consistently observe that scholars with excellent attendance not only perform better academically but also show greater confidence, engagement and wellbeing.

Regular attendance helps establish strong routines, fosters a sense of belonging and ensures no learning opportunities are missed. 

We know through research that:

  • Scholars with 97%+ attendance typically achieve a full grade higher than those with 90% 
  • Scholars with around 80% attendance often see a further drop of another grade. 

Research has also shown that those who perform just one GCSE grade better than their counterparts across nine subjects have been shown to earn on average over £200,000 more throughout their lives. Essentially, great attendance isn’t just something that matters in school each day, it will have a huge impact on young people’s lives well into the future.

Punctuality

Arriving at school on time is just as important as good attendance and punctuality is a characteristic not just appreciated by school but also by post-16 providers, universities, and employers. Lateness to school is ultimately losing learning time, potentially having a negative impact on your child’s long-term success:

  • 5 minutes late each day = over 3 days lost learning a year
  • 10 minutes late each day = over 6 days lost learning a year
  • 20 minutes late each day = over 12 days lost learning a year.

The Academy opens at 8:30am with gates closing at 9:05am.

The Academy has a legal duty to mark any child absent after the registers close. This means that:

  • If you child arrives after 9:10am they’ll be marked with a U code.
  • A U code is an unauthorised absence and will affect your child’s overall attendance.

How to report an absence due to illness

If a scholar is going to be absent, it is vital that a parent contacts the school at the earliest opportunity to provide a sufficient reason for absence. This should be:

  1. By emailing attendance@astreacottenham.org with your child’s full name, form, and reason for absence.
  2. By using the My Child At School (MCAS) app.
  3. By phoning the absence line on 01954 288944 (Option 1) and leaving a message. Please state your child’s full name, their form, and the reason for the absence.
  4. If your child has a medical or dental appointment, please let us know in advance by either of the above methods or by sending a note in advance. We ask for any appointment cards, letters or slips to be handed in to show as evidence of the appointment. If your child is absent for an extended period of time, or is poorly regularly, then the school may ask for a doctor’s note.

When reporting absence the information you share should include:

  • Name & DOB of scholar
  • Tutor group
  • Reason/description for illness/absence – this is to include the appointment card/text for confirmation.

Absence can only be authorised where there is good cause. If no sufficient reason for absence is provided, attendance will be recorded as unauthorised. Parents cannot authorise absence. This is a decision which rests with Cottenham Village College in accordance with the boundaries set by The Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations.

Before you report the illness we would always ask parents to see if their child can ‘give it a go’ we know that sometimes over the counter medication can help.

We know that were all at risk of coughs and colds. Cottenham Village College will support scholars whilst on site who are feeling a little bit unwell. If your child gets worse during the academy day, staff will contact you and let you know.

Our day-to-day processes are there to ensure everyone is safe and accounted for, if your child contacts you to ask you to collect them the Academy will:

  • Ensure that you and your child are seen by a senior member of staff prior to leaving the academy site.
  • Ask for confirmation of who will be supervising your child throughout the day
  • Log this as an unauthorised absence

Home Visits

The Academy has a duty of care to all its scholars and families which means that we complete home visits. When scholars are absent we may just drop by and see you to check on you and plan for your return to the Academy.

If a home visit takes place, we will want to talk to you as the parent/carer and your child. This is not unusual and is important for us to do so.

If we miss you, we will leave a note to let you know we’ve called.

Who are the Team

Our attendance team are here to support you – a who’s who of the team is here:

Senior Leader Responsible for AttendanceMr Clive Crisford
Attendance OfficerMiss Sally Bagwell  

Term Time Leave

Holidays will not be authorised during term time and will likely result in a fixed penalty notice. The decision to record a holiday as unauthorised rests with Cottenham Village College.

For exceptional circumstances only, to apply for a scholar leave of absence, parents should complete a Term Time Leave Request Form which can be accessed upon request. Forms must be fully completed, with evidence provided, then returned to reception for consideration by the Principal.

Unauthorised leave for holidays will result in a fixed penalty notice being issued.