Attendance

Attendance

Every Day Counts

 

Why Attendance Matters

Good attendance means:

• Better academic performance

• Stronger social relationships

• Improved mental health and wellbeing

• Greater opportunities in education, training, and employment

The national expectation for school attendance is at least 96%. Our target at Hodge Hill Girls’ School is for every student to meet or exceed this figure.

 

Reporting Absences

If your child is absent, please inform the school by 8:15am on the first day of absence, and each day thereafter.

Contact Information:

• Telephone: 0121 464 3094 - Option 1 for the Attendance Office

• Email: enquiry@hodgehgs.bham.sch.uk

• School Gateway: Text messaging service

• Please include your child’s full name, year group, and the reason for absence.

 

Authorised vs Unauthorised Absences

We understand that children may occasionally need to miss school. Acceptable reasons include:

• Illness

• Medical or dental appointments (preferably outside school hours)

• Religious observance

• Exceptional family circumstances (must be approved in advance)

Unauthorised absences (e.g. holidays during term time, lateness without valid reason) will be followed up and may lead to further action, including penalty notices.

 

Punctuality Matters

At Hodge Hill Girls’ School, we believe that being on time is a sign of respect and responsibility, two qualities we actively nurture in every pupil. While excellent attendance is vital, punctuality is equally important. Every pupil has a responsibility to arrive at school on time and to remain in school for the full day, helping to create a positive, and focused learning environment for all.

All pupils are expected to be in their form rooms promptly each morning, ready to begin the day with the right mindset. Specific timings for the start of the school day are outlined in our Attendance and Punctuality Policy, available on the school website.

If a pupil arrives after the register has closed, they will receive a late mark, and parents or carers will be informed via text message. Persistent lateness will be addressed through our pastoral and behaviour systems, with appropriate support and, where necessary, sanctions used to encourage improvement. 

Punctuality may seem like a small detail, but it makes a big difference. Arriving on time ensures that pupils:

• Don’t miss important instructions, messages, or learning opportunities

• Start their day calmly and confidently

• Contribute positively to the smooth running of lessons and the wider school community

When pupils are late, it doesn’t just affect them, it disrupts learning for others and places additional pressure on staff. As a school that values partnerships, one of our PRIDE values, we encourage all pupils to view punctuality as a shared responsibility. It’s a simple yet powerful way to show commitment to their learning and respect for their peers.

Even being five minutes late each day can add up to over three days of lost learning a year. Over time, this has an impact on both academic progress and emotional wellbeing. A rushed or unsettled start can lower confidence and increase anxiety, sometimes even leading to behavioural difficulties as pupils struggle to catch up.

That’s why we place such importance on being on time, because it supports not just individual success, but the success of the whole school community.

 

Term-Time Holidays

We do not authorise holidays during term time. Requests for leave must be made in writing to the Headteacher, using the Leave of Absence Request Form, available from the school office.

Holidays taken without permission will be marked as unauthorised and may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice issued by Birmingham City Council.

 

Support with Attendance

If your child is facing challenges that affect their attendance, we are here to help. Our Pastoral Team and Attendance Officer work closely with families to remove barriers to regular school attendance.

For support, please contact the school to arrange a meeting or speak to your child's Head of Year.

 

Working Together

We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are key to pupil success. Together, we can ensure your child makes the most of every learning opportunity at Hodge Hill Girls’ School.

Let’s make every day count!