Why is +98% Attendance so important?

• Students to make excellent academic progress.
• Students build strong social connections within the CFBS community.
• Students are more confident in the classroom.
• Preparation for the demands of university and working life.

Reporting Absence

• Parents/carers should always call and email CFBS every day that a student is absent. 
• Parents/carers should also include detailed reasons for the absence to allow the school provide any necessary support and to enter the correct attendance code into the register.

Call 0207 253 3741 and email the Director of Learning cc’ing Ms Arpino arpinon@cfbs.islington.sch.uk (Director of Learning for Attendance and Punctuality) or email the school office at info@cfbs.islington.sch.uk.

Attendance Rewards

• Students are rewarded publicly for excellent attendance on a weekly basis.
• We celebrate attendance with assemblies, certificates, raffles, and annual student graduation ceremonies.
• We also recognise students who have improved their attendance.

Attendance Stages of Support

• Attendance of 98-100% allows students to make excellent academic progress and strong social connections.
• Students with less than 95% attendance (Stage 1) will have an Attendance Awareness meeting with their Director of Learning.
• Students will be encouraged to improve their attendance via phone calls and an Attendance Concern Letter. 
• If a student’s attendance remains of concern, they will be invited to an Attendance Panel Meeting – this will involve the Education Welfare Officer.
• If a student’s attendance is below 90% (Stage 2) it is of significant concern; they are classified as a persistent absentee. 
• To support students to improve attendance, we aim to remove any in-school barriers and work closely with their families. We also work with Islington Welfare Service and make referrals to multiple other agencies eg: TYS and CAHMS.
• If routes to improve a student’s attendance have not been actively engaged with, or the attendance remains of significant concern, we may issue notices to improve including legal penalty notices.

  How to support your child’s attendance?

• Ensure students arrive at school by 8.45am at the latest. 
• Ensure all medical appointments are booked outside of the school day.
• Alert us to any issues that may be causing anxiety in relation to school – we will work to solve them.
• Support students from catching mild illnesses eg: making sure they get enough sleep every night. Please send students to school if they have a mild illness such as a cough or a runny nose. NHS guidance is provided here: Is my child too ill for school? – NHS

• Planned Absence eg: graduation or music exams. Please tell us of these in advance.
• Book all holidays outside of academic terms; we refer unauthorized holidays to the local authority who may issue a fine.

Useful links:

• How to improve your child’s school attendance and where to get support   – The Education Hub
• Is my child too ill for school? – NHS
• Mental health resources for children, students, parents, carers and school/college staff – The Education Hub
• The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024
• Attendance Policy – Sept 2024