Dear Families,

Thank you for all of the responses that we had to our consultation on 6th Form attendance and how we might manage that in both the short and long term.  We have listened to the responses, and to concerns raised around certain freedoms our 6th Form currently have around attendance to school.  Whilst we have taken these into account, we also have a responsibility to ensure that we are offering the most comprehensive education possible and that we have an accurate attendance record at all times for our post 16 students.

As such, our proposal to be implemented from January 2025 is as follows:

Students are required to sign in at the Sixth Form building using the iPad which will be located at the entrance to the building.

AM Sign-In

  • Students with lessons during:
    • Registration
    • Period 1
    • Period 2
  • Must sign in via the iPad by 8:40 AM to receive their AM attendance mark.
  • The Head of Sixth Form will monitor sign-ins and remind students of expectations.

Students who do not have a lesson until Period 3 on a given day do not need to be in school during the first part of the day.

PM Sign-In

  • Students with lessons during:
    • Period 3
    • Period 4
    • Period 5
    • Period 6
  • Must sign in via the iPad by 12:30 PM to receive their PM attendance mark.

Leaving the Site

Students have the flexibility to remain on-site or leave when not in lessons, provided they sign in and out using the iPad. This system supports flexible schedules while accommodating enrichment activities and wider commitments.  It is also vital both in terms of fire safety and for safeguarding reasons that all students sign in and out in this manner.

Registration

  • Monday and Friday: Students are required to attend Form from 8:25 AM to 8:40 AM.
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: Form time is allocated for one-to-one mentoring with Form Tutors, focusing on academic support and post-18 planning.  Students are expected to attend their allocated appointments.

Attendance Monitoring

  • Attendance Target: Students are expected to maintain attendance above the Sixth Form target of 95%.  This is to ensure the best possible chance of securing outcomes to enhance options post 18, whatever route our students intend to pursue.
  • Below 90% Attendance: Students will receive communication and encouragement to improve their attendance.  Families will be informed and a meeting or conversation booked where appropriate.
  • Below 80% Attendance: This is considered a significant concern.
    • The student will be placed on an Attendance Report.
    • Families will be invited to a meeting, in which a support plan will be put in place for the student
    • Targets will be set, and students must have the report signed by all their teachers at the start of each lesson to confirm attendance.
    • The Sixth Form team will regularly review these reports to ensure progress.

Alongside this letter we will also explain these slight changes to the student body prior to the Christmas break.  If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Mr Bellamy in the first instance.  Our goal here is not to curtail the freedoms of our 6th Form students, but rather to ensure the best possible education alongside high quality guidance and support, whilst also ensuring that we maintain the highest standards of safeguarding and attendance monitoring.  I have no doubt that the measures implemented from January will support our fantastic students to achieve wonderful things both at Friesland and beyond.

Yours sincerely,

Craig Patterson
Headteacher