TERM DATES 2017/18
PASTORAL INFORMATION
Secondary Phase
TERM
STARTS
ENDS
AUTUMN
04/09/17
20/12/17
If you require any further information on Attendance at Simon Balle All–through School, please contact your child’s Form Tutor
Simon Balle
HALF TERM: Monday 23rd – Friday 27th October
SPRING
04/02/18
29/03/18
HALF TERM: Monday 12th – Friday 16th February
SUMMER
16/04/18
20/07/18
HALF TERM : Monday 28th May – Friday 1st June
Open Morning: Saturday 23 September 2017
All contact information can be found on the Pastoral Structure page of the school website: http://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/pastoralstructure/
All-through School ATTENDANCE
Or via the ‘SBAS Community’ tab
Information for
ALL STUDENTS MUST ATTEND
Autumn Term INSET DAY: Monday 25th September
* Wellbeing & Attendance Coordinator Ms Moss
Occasional Day : Friday 24th November Occasional Day : Monday 27th November
Spring Term
mossd@simonballe.herts.sch.uk * Assistant Head in charge of Attendance
INSET DAY: Friday 9th February
Mr Pooley
(Easter Weekend: Friday 30th March – Monday 2nd April)
pooleyj@simonballe.herts.sch.uk
Summer Term May Bank Holiday: Monday 7th May
Parents 2017/18
The aim of this leaflet is to outline the importance of regular attendance at school in order to emphasise the impact it can have on your child’s academic progress. Research
How do I register an absence? For unplanned absence: Telephone the school on 01992 410400 before 8.15am and leave a message including: your child’s name, form group and the reason for absence.
indicates that there is a direct link between poor attendance and poor achievement. Here at Simon Balle we have a minimum target of
For absence known in advance: Please send an email to the school office admin@simonballe.herts.sch.uk with the time/date(s) your child will be absent and the reason for
97% attendance for every child.
the absence. The school should be advised of any medical
A student who has 90% attendance misses
condition. A doctor’s certificate may be requested if it
almost 4 weeks of school every year. That’s
affects your child’s long term attendance.
over 100 hours of learning. If young people do not
attend
school
regularly,
they
My child needs a medical appointment, what should I do?
will
experience difficulty in keeping up with their
Appointments should be made out of school hours, wher-
studies.
ever possible. If this is not possible, we expect all students to return to school after medical appointments, where
Visit the attendance section on the school
practical. Medical Authorisation Forms are for proof of
website to learn more about the link between
recurring medical appointments and can be obtained from
absence and attainment.
your child’s Form Teacher or the school reception. You may
In addition to this, they also miss out on the many activities and opportunities that we offer at Simon Balle that support the curriculum and nurture their growth into
also print one from the link available on our school website in the Attendance section. If my child is late for school, what should they do? Registration starts at 8.45am in Lesson 1. If your child ar-
young adults. This can have ramifications as
rives after this time they MUST SIGN IN AT THE MAIN RE-
students who do not attend school regularly
CEPTION. Persistent lateness will not be tolerated and sanc-
are at a greater risk of becoming involved in
tions will be issued. Repeat offenders will be required to
crime or becoming a victim of abuse.
meet with the Attendance Panel.
What can parents do to help? It is important that you inform us of any medical or emotional issues that may be affecting your child’s attendance, to enable us to offer appropriate support. It is also important that your son or daughter understands that you are working with the school to ensure that there are no barriers to learning and that you do not condone absence. Please work with us to endorse the school’s rules on punctuality, attendance and dress code with your child.
HOLIDAYS TAKEN IN TERM TIME WILL NOT BE AUTHORISED AND SHOULD NOT BE BOOKED BY PARENTS/CARERS/RELATIVES The Government and School Governors recommendation is that you do not take your child out of school for holidays therefore, no holidays will be authorised by school. Penalty Notices were introduced under section 23(1) of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 to address unauthorised absences from school. It is a fine issued by Herts County Council to parents/carers of a child who has failed to attend school regularly and whose absence is unauthorised. In extreme cases students and parents will be invited to attend an attendance panel meeting and if no improvement made it will be passed on the County to the Attendance team to take on the case.