Attendance
Attendance Matters
At Peacehaven Community School, we acknowledge the importance of school attendance as a cornerstone of our vision to provide an exceptional educational experience. Research consistently shows that regular attendance is paramount to academic success and social-emotional development (Gottfried, 2010; Davis et al., 2019; EEF, 2022; FFT, 2023).
To ensure our students' progress and wellbeing, we maintain a high attendance target of 96% and provide targeted support for those who struggle to meet this standard. In doing so, we empower students to make the most of our innovative and challenging teaching methods, which are informed by the latest evidence-based research.
By promoting regular attendance, we not only support our students in achieving their full potential but also prepare them for a successful future in a changing world. Each missed session represents lost opportunities for learning and growth. For example, missing just one session per week can significantly impact a student's academic performance, as it equates to 19 days of lost education per year. This could potentially result in worse GCSE grades and a wider range of short and long-term negative consequences (Connolly, Gubbins & Hannigan, 2019; Davis et al, 2019).
Peacehaven Community School's unwavering commitment to enhancing attendance is a testament to our dedication to helping every student aspire, believe, contribute, and achieve. Through regular attendance, we cultivate an environment in which our students can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.
How to inform PCS of your Child's absence
● Ring the absence line on 01273 575832
● Email the attendance team: pcs-attendance@swale.at
● Repeat for every day of absence
Please let the Attendance Office know by 8.30am on every day that your child is off school. If your child has been issued with a Doctor's Note detailing the agreed length of absence, you can forward this to the Attendance Office instead of calling each day.
You can telephone the Absence Line on 01273 575832. There is an answer phone for out-of-hours messages. You will need to leave the name of the student, their year group and the reason for absence.
If your child needs to be absent during term time for any reason other than illness, please click on the link below for guidelines and how to request permission:
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/educationandlearning/schools/attendance-
behaviour/holidays-term-time/
As a school we also use the My Child at school app. You can use your My Child at
School account to tell us if your child is ill and unable to attend school.
Instructions on how to use the messaging system can be found in the MCAS_PCS Parent Guide (please send the message to 'Peacehaven Community School').
This procedure is essential as we need to be able to trace the whereabouts of every student in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Alternatively, please contact our Attendance team using the following email address: pcs-attendance@swale.at
Punctuality:
Good punctuality is an excellent life-skill and we expect all our students to arrive in school before 8:30am. For any student who arrives after 8:40am, we operate a ‘late gate’ and students will receive a sanction.
| As a parent, I can help by: |
As a school, We will help by: |
As a student, I can help by: |
| Contact the school when your child will be absent. | Following up on every absence ensures that no absence goes un-noted. |
Attending school and lessons every day, on time, to give you the very best chance of success. |
| Booking doctors and dentist appointments outside of school hours. |
Acknowledging and rewarding good attendance and punctuality. |
Taking part in the attendance competitions and reward incentives |
| Supporting your child to attend as often as possible by reminding them on the importance of school attendance | Reminding parents and students about the importance of attendance and how it is measured against attainment. |
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| Ensuring your child arrives at school by 8:30am each morning. | Letting parents know if we have concerns regarding their child’s attendance and punctuality. |
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Arriving just 5 minutes late every day equals missing 3 days of education over the whole year. Arriving half an hour late every day is equivalent to 18 days of absence.
We thank you for your continued support in ensuring your child attends school every day, so they can achieve their potential.
Attendance Policies
ESCC School Term and Holidays Dates Webpage
Attendance Rewards
Reward incentives for excellent attendance are available throughout the school year, with a variety of prizes to be won. At our school, we believe that good attendance is the collective responsibility of all members of our community.
We encourage all students to monitor their attendance and take ownership of their attendance record, as well as support their peers to do the same.