If your child is going to be absent from School we need to know!
Please ensure the School is informed before 8.45am. You can let us know by telephone on 01874 620353 or via our email address office@brecon-hs.powys.sch.uk
COVID-19 Related Pupil Absence - A Guide for parents - CLICK HERE
‘Absence’ Online Tutor Timetable - CLICK HERE
If you do not inform us then the absence will be marked as unauthorised.
If you know in advance that your child is going to be absent then you can inform us at the School on 01874 620353, in writing or just let RECEPTION know the dates/times.
Medical/Dental appointments
Written or verbal information must be provided, otherwise the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
Why attendance matters!
- Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success—both in school and in life. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits and avoid dangerous behaviour.
- When pupils are absent for fewer days, their grades and reading skills often improve—even among those students who are struggling in school. Pupils who attend school regularly also feel more connected to their community and develop important social skills and friendships.
- As a parent, you can prepare your child for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority.
- The school has a duty to keep a record of the amount of Leave of Absence, both authorised and unauthorised, taken to monitor the extent of the issue and its effect on overall attendance levels. This could be published by the Governors in the report to parents, giving the absence figure excluding Leave of Absences during term time.
Please be aware that any unauthorised attendance will be investigated by the School Attendance Officer & Education Welfare Officer.
What constitutes good attendance?
Attendance percentages are not like examination results: an attendance percentage needs to be in the high nineties before it can be considered good. Consider the following examples over the course of a school year (188 days).
10 days absence = 95% attendance = 50 lessons missed
20 days absence = 89% attendance = 100 lessons missed
29 days absence = 85% attendance = 145 lessons missed
38 days absence = 80% attendance = 190 lessons missed
47 days absence = 75% attendance = 235 lessons missed
Research states that having 20 (89%) days off school every year means that a pupil will probably obtain a whole grade lower in their exams than they are really capable of.
Pupils with less than 85% attendance are unlikely to gain 5 A*-C GCSE qualifications.
Term-Time Holidays
Please read the below advice if you are considering requesting a leave of absence for your child(ren) in term time.
Only the HeadTeacher or their representative can authorise absence
- Each request will be considered on its merits, taking into account factors such as the child’s overall attendance record
- Permission will not be given for more than 10 days Leave of Absence in a school year, other than in exceptional circumstances
- Applications should be made at least 2 weeks in advance and arrangements for catching up on missed work agreed with the school. The school would not normally supply work for the pupils to complete during the Leave of Absence.
Leave of Absences taken without the permission of the school will be recorded as Unauthorised. An application for any leave of absence MUST be made on the request form at the bottom of the page.
Links & Downloads for more information about absence from School
Powys County Council guidance and information for parents about penalty notices and the code of conduct:
https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/1352/School-attendance-and-welfare
School term dates:
https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/1166/School-Term-Dates
Download and complete this form (Or collect a copy from Reception) if you want to book time off during term time. Return back to the School BEFORE being absent from School:
DOWNLOAD HERE ………. REQUEST FOR BOOKING HOLIDAY IN BRECON HIGH SCHOOL DURING TERM TIME
Attendance Policy 2022-23 PDf