Reporting an absence

If your child is going to be absent from school, please ensure you contact the school before 8:15am to give a reason for the absence.  You can do this by:

• Calling the school on 01536 213100 (option 1)
• Reporting the absence via the EduLink App
• E-mailing us via absence@corbytechnicalschool.org

If a reason is not given, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and a text message will be sent from the school or a telephone call will be made. A home visit may occur as a follow-up action.

Student arrival time

Students should arrive at the front doors by 8:40am to allow sufficient time to arrive at tutor time for registration. Students arriving after 8.45am will be marked as late. All registers close at 9.15am. The late sign-in code used after this time will constitute as an absence and negatively impact a student’s attendance record.

Arriving at school late is disruptive to a student’s daily routine and also means that they may miss a considerable amount of valuable learning time.

Minutes late per day	Equivalent of missing
5 Minutes	3.4 school days a year
10 Minutes	6.9 school days a year
15 Minutes	10.3 school days a year
20 Minutes	13.8 school days a year
30 Minutes	20.7 school days a year

Attendance information

Regular school attendance is not merely a requirement but a fundamental pillar of education. It plays a pivotal role in shaping academic success, personal growth, and prospects. Corby Technical School and the Brooke Weston Trust are committed to transforming educational achievement and to giving students the best start in life academically and as citizens. We promote the importance of students attending school on every day possible and recognise that daily attendance is crucial to success.

It is the responsibility of all stakeholders across our school community – parents/carers, staff, governors, and students – to work together to ensure that every student and their family has the support and strategies required to attend school daily.

Further information can be found on the links below including our support offer here at Corby Technical School, along with all relevant attendance and punctuality practice and legislation.

Home visits:

Home visits are conducted to follow-up on student absences and provide support to students and parents/carers where appropriate.  

The school has a duty to safeguard the welfare of all students. Any concerns about a child's attendance will be investigated promptly to ensure support for their wellbeing. 

If there are unexplained/prolonged periods of absence or an identified safeguarding concern, this may require school to contact external agencies.

Please make sure we know your up-to-date contact details.

• We monitor attendance carefully and contact you if your child’s attendance drops below 97%.
• The Education Welfare Officer is likely to meet with children and families in school if their attendance drops below 90%.
• If attendance problems continue, we will ask you to meet us to discuss the way forward. If a number of absences are unauthorised, you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice and be given a fine.
• The parents of children whose attendance is persistently low may be prosecuted.

How can parents help?

• Parents are legally obliged to make sure their child attends school regularly. Only the school can authorise an absence. Students should aim for at least 97% attendance.
• In line with Department for Education (2024) regulations, holidays or absences for leisure and recreation would not constitute as exceptional circumstances.  As per the National Framework for Penalty Notices (2024), parents and carers may be issued with a fixed penalty notice or legal sanction if a pupil is absent due to unauthorised leave during term time. 
• Do not make non-urgent medical appointments during the school day.

Attendance Team

The Vice Principal with responsibility for Student Care is Miss Eddy.

The Attendance Champion is Mrs Mallott.

The Education Welfare Officer is Miss Adams.

Any absence related enquiries can be directed to absence@corbytechnicalschool.org.

Leave of Absence During Term Time: https://forms.office.com/e/WQLjiQqvWq - please complete this form if you are requesting an absence during term time.

If your child's attendance remains unsatisfactory and despite support from the school staff a referral to the Education Inclusion Partnership Team (Local Authority) may be made for consideration of legal action. This could include a prosecution or a Penalty Notice being issued.

Useful Links

Corby Technical School Penalty Update Information

Brooke Weston Trust Attendance and Punctuality Policy

Working Together to Improve School Attendance