Good attendance to school is intrinsically linked to high attainment and positive wellbeing. Therefore, at St Albans Girls' School we place huge importance on our students attending school every day.

It is very important that students aim to attend school every day, only absent when they are physically too unwell. Our school target for attendance is 96%, and we set all students this target. Attendance in each year group meets this target, and we are very proud to say that many of our students have a 100% attendance record. It is a parent/carers legal responsibility to ensure that their child attends school regularly and is not absent without good reason. Please find attached a letter explaining the legal framework around school attendance sent to all parents/carers at the beginning of the school year. 

Research shows that children who attend school regularly are happier learners than those who miss school on a regular basis. Children who miss school often fall behind with their studies and can become socially isolated. We monitor attendance very carefully, and you will be contacted if your daughter's attendance falls below target. We want all STAGS students to be happy in attending school and if you feel that your son/daughter is becoming reluctant to attend school then please do not hesitate to contact their Director of Learning or Student Support Officer.

Please see more information in our Attendance Policy by clicking here.

Absence

If your child is too ill to attend school then please contact the school as soon as possible on the day via the absence line (01727 853134) or e-mail absence@stags.herts.sch.uk, as per the instructions on our Absence Line page. Please note that it is a students' responsibility to catch up any work missed due to absence and work cannot be sent home by class teachers to cover absence. 

If your child is absent without a reason then a text message will be sent to all primary parent/carers listed on Arbor. This message can be responded to by return text. If you receive a text, and you believe your child is in school then please call our Attendance Administrator immediately. 

If you know in advance that your child will be out of school, please let us know via letter, note in planner or absence@stags.herts.sch.uk. Examples of such circumstances are medical appointments, funeral of a relative, music exam, driving test, university visit. We would ask that medical appointments are made outside of school hours. 

If you wish your child to be absent for more than one day or for exceptional circumstances please complete and return the attached 'Request for Authorised Absence' form attached below to the headteacher at school.  Please note that we can not grant permission for holidays (whatever the reason) in term time. 

Government guidelines do not permit the school to give authorisation for holidays during term time, even if this includes travel for a special occasion.  If a child is absent from school, without authorisation, for more than 15 sessions (1/2 day = 1 session) in a term, then the school is obliged to apply to the local authority for the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice fine.