Absence

Parents/Carers are responsible for informing the school in the event of any absence. This includes; sickness, medical appointments and any other unplanned absence.

Parents/Carers can inform the school via the following methods:

• If you are reporting a same day absence, please do this through the Arbor App only. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the link below. Please ensure you have provided a detailed reason for absence when submitting the absence request.

https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/19947254592029-Logging-absences-on-the-Parent-Portal-and-Arbor-App

• If you are reporting an absence in advance, the best way to do so is by emailing info@billericayschool.com, stating your child’s name and the detailed reason for absence.

Communication must be made as soon as possible, however, notification does not necessarily approve an absence.  

Please be advised that after three days of absence due to sickness, medical evidence will be requested. This can be provided in the form of a GP appointment card, copy of prescription or note from your doctor.

 If attendance problems develop, the school expects parents to work actively with school staff and the Local Authority, to resolve them.

National education contexts are wide ranging and very different – so we thought it may be helpful to add some statistics from our previous two Year 11 cohorts showing their attendance and exam success. 

 As you may be aware, overall absence and persistent absence of students has risen dramatically since the pandemic. (Persistent absence is defined as the percentage of students with less than 90% attendance to school.) Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the Department for Education statistics showed that overall absence rates were 4.7% and Persistent Absence rates were 10.9%. 

Across the first two terms of 2023/24, the National Picture showed a 6.9% Overall Absence Rate with 19.2% Persistence Absence. Almost double the number of students in the UK with attendance below 90% - the equivalent of missing 1 day per fortnight, for the entire academic year.

At The Billericay School, we are acutely aware of the research that links student attainment and well being, with student attendance. Such research suggests that those students with lower attendance, not only attain less well in examinations, but are actually less happy in school due to missing out on peer group interaction, building relationships and the stresses caused by missing curriculum time. We have worked hard with our school community to see our attendance improve each year following the pandemic, and encourage you support us in providing your child with the best opportunity to be happy and successful.