Although we would like pupils to have 100% attendance, we understand that many factors can prevent a pupil from attending. The government currently states that attendance should be 95% to be good or better. If your child is unwell you must report to us for each day that your child is unwell, before 9:00am to ensure that the registers are accurate.

Please use Classcharts 'Reporting Absence' on the Parent App to communicate the absence and reason; this is our preferred method for parents to use as it creates the most accurate communication. Alternatively, you can use the school phone number following the instructions for absence.

To contact us you should ring the main school number 01805 623531 and select the option indicated, alternatively you can email using the following email address: Absence@gts.devon.sch.uk

If your child has a medical appointment

Medical appointments should wherever possible be made outside of the school day. However where this is not possible, please send in a note with your child with the time and reason they need to leave their lesson and sign out at pupil services.  This note is required to show to their teacher and pupil services in line with our safeguarding procedures.  Please come to reception to collect your child.

Any other absence

For any other type of absence you will need to complete a Leave of Absence form which can be downloaded from the link below.

Improving Attendance

If you have concerns about your child's attendance please contact your child's tutor in the first instance.  If we become worried about attendance or patterns of absence, your childs tutor will have a chat with them and we will send you a letter to notify you of their absence rate.  Continued concerns of absence rates will require a phone call or meeting with your childs Head of Learning to discuss any barriers to attending school, and to ascertain if there are any supportive measures we can put in place.

The table below shows what percentage attendance is in terms of days, weeks and lessons missed.  General guidance would be to aim for no more than 9 days off each year.