Attendance and Punctuality – Beckfoot Thornton

At Beckfoot Thornton, we understand that barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates, and are often specific to individual pupils and families. We therefore want to ensure that we support our pupils and their families to attend school regularly by making Beckfoot Thornton a place where pupils want to be. We are committed to creating an environment that is calm, safe and supportive, where all students can enjoy belonging, be ready to learn, and be determined to succeed.

Our Expectations

Students will attend school every day
Students will be on time to school and their lessons
Students will always be prepared for school by having enough sleep, wearing the correct uniform, and having the right equipment

Students meeting these expectations will achieve well, be protected from risk of harm, and secure and maintain positive friendships with their peers at school.

Attendance and Punctuality Policy

Trust Attendance Policy

Local Attendance Protocol

Key contacts

Attendance is everyone’s business, and all members of our staff understand they they have a role to play in supporting good attendance. To learn more about our key contacts roles and responsibilities, please view our local attendance protocol.

Clare Vickerman – Assistant Headteacher (Attendance)
Kelly Ball – Student and Community Manager
Claire Holden – Student and Community Manager
Lisa Hainsworth – Assistant Attendance Officer
Lynne Cunningham – Assistant Attendance Officer
Sayeda Jan – Assistant Attendance Officer

What do I do if my child is not well enough to come to school?

If your child is absent from Beckfoot Thornton you must telephone the school on 01274 881082, or report it via ClassCharts. This must be done on the first day of absence, and a reason for the students absence must be provided. You must call this line every morning your child is ill/off school and clearly state the reason for their absence.

If we do not receive any communication, you will receive a phone call home from one of our dedicated attendance officers. A home visit may be made depending on the student’s attendance record and the nature of the absence. On returning to school, the student must take responsibility to catch up on any work missed.

Student’s attendance is monitored daily. Home visits will be conducted by members of the attendance team if a student’s attendance becomes a concern. The purpose of home visits are to have conversations with families about their young person’s attendance, complete a safeguarding check, and offer support where needed.

Medical and dental appointments

Medical and dental appointments should be made before or after school wherever possible, however, if an appointment is required during school hours, school should be made aware in advance and their must be provision of some evidence to authorise the absence.

Holidays in term time

Holidays in term times will not be authorised by Beckfoot Thornton and could lead to penalty notices and fines being issued. These will be issued to the parent/carer liable for the attendance offence.

Punctuality

Students must be in school by 8.20am at the very latest. The register for the first session will be taken at 8.30am. Any student arriving between 8.21 and 8.40am should report to the Attendance Team in the first shelter. They will be given a late stamp and be informed of a 30-minute detention that day. Parents/carers will be informed of the this detention by the attendance team the same day. Records will be kept of students that are late. A third late detention in a week will result in a 60-minute same day detention. 6 lates in a term after the register closes (U code) may result in a fine by the Local Authority.

We understand that sometimes children may be late due to unforeseen circumstances, learners will always receive a friendly welcome when they get to school late. Please alert as soon as possible if you think your child is going to be late.

Recognising good attendance at Beckfoot Thornton

100% Attendance Challenge – All students who achieve 100% attendance between a set period will be invited to a reward.
100% Attendance Club – This prestigious club is for students who maintain 100% attendance throughout the academic year, entitling them to a range of rewards such as ‘jump the queue’. pop up events and celebration activities.
97% Attendance Red Carpets Events – Students with an attendance of over 97% will be invited to our termly red carpet events.

We believe that all students are more likely to attend school regularly if the curriculum is engaging and personalised to meet their needs, and if they have targets and rewards to work towards.

How will we support you?

We will build close and productive relationships with families to ensure that any attendance issues can be tackled and any barriers to attendance are removed.
Creating intervention or reintegration plans in partnership with our pupils and their parents/carers.
Encourage good attendance by making our classrooms and school a place where all pupils can and want to be.

Year 11 2025 Leavers, your GCSE certificates can be collected from school reception from Monday 8th December. Please avoid coming at break/lunch time where possible.