Attendance and Punctuality at West Derby School
At West Derby School, we understand that excellent attendance and punctuality are essential life skills and key to academic success. We are committed to providing every pupil with the opportunities they need to develop a strong skill set, enabling them to thrive and compete with their peers.
We believe that pupils are safest and most successful when they attend school regularly. Consistent attendance allows pupils to:
- Access a broad and balanced curriculum (Curriculum Design)
- Build positive relationships with staff and peers
- Develop a wide range of life skills
- Benefit from personalised support and career pathways (Careers & Higher Education)
Our expectation is that all pupils aim for 100% attendance, with a minimum of 97%.
Why Attendance Matters
Our data shows a clear link between attendance and achievement. At KS4, students with attendance above 97% achieved more than twice as many grades 9–4 compared to those below 90%.
No student with attendance under 90% achieved a grade 9, and only a small percentage achieved grades 6–8.
Reporting Absence
We understand that illness can occur, but we ask parents/carers to encourage regular attendance and avoid unnecessary absences. Minor ailments such as headaches, coughs, or colds should not prevent attendance unless they significantly impact learning.
To report an absence, parents/guardians must contact us each day of absence via the school app, email, or phone (voicemail available) before the start of the school day. If an absence is not reported, you will receive an alert, and our attendance team will follow up to ensure safeguarding and accurate records.
The quickest way to report an absence is via the Arbor app.
For guidance, visit: Logging absences on the Parent Portal and Arbor App – Arbor Help Centre
Punctuality
Being late matters. Arriving 15 minutes late each day adds up to two weeks of lost learning over a year. The start of the day is vital for social interaction and preparation for learning.
- Pupils must be on site by 8:45am.
- Arrivals after 8:45am will be marked late.
- Three instances of lateness will result in a 45-minute PPL detention.
- Registers close at 9:20am. Arrivals after this time will receive a ‘U’ mark (unauthorised absence) unless a valid reason is provided. Accumulated ‘U’ marks can lead to penalty notices in line with Local Authority guidance.
For more details, visit: School attendance, behaviour and welfare – Liverpool City Council
The impact of school absence on lifetime earnings
The link between attendance and attainment in an assessment year
For further information regarding attendance, see below:
School attendance, behaviour and welfare – Liverpool City Council
Working together to improve school attendance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)