Attendance & Punctuality

Students are expected to be punctual to registration and lessons. Anyone arriving late to school (after 08:30) should sign in at the student late entrance, formerly The Bridge. Failure to do so will result in an unauthorised absence.

If you are ill or injured you should report to the nearest member of the teaching staff, who may then refer you to the Welfare Assistant. If necessary, your parent/carer will be contacted and asked to collect you. You must NOT make your own arrangement; the school will do it for you. If you need to take medication during the school day you should leave it with the Welfare Assistant. Do not carry medication on you during the school day.

Holidays in Term Time

Holidays will not be authorised by the school. Holidays during term time will be classified as an unauthorised absence and could incur a fine issued by West Sussex County Council.

Adverse Weather Information

Circumstances can arise from time to time when it becomes necessary to close the school due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events. In the event of severe weather etc. we shall do everything we can to remain open. The decision to close the school will be made by the Headteacher, who will make a judgement if one or more of the following conditions apply:

1. There are not enough staff who are able to get to school to keep the school running safely.
2. Conditions on the school site/campus are too dangerous.
3. Conditions are considered to be too hazardous or are anticipated to become too hazardous for students and staff.

A decision to close the school or send students home early is always very difficult.  Careful consideration is always given to the latest local information about road conditions, public transport and safe access to, and around the school site.

If the school has to close early due to severe weather conditions, we will ask students to contact their parents or carers so they are aware of where students are planning to go once they leave the site. Students will be asked to sign against their name on a register to confirm that parents or carers have been contacted. If a student is unable to make contact with a parent or carer we will ensure that they are supervised in school until contact is made or the school day ends, whichever is sooner. The school will remain open until the last student has left the site. 

The front page of our website will have the latest information on whether the school is open, closed, closing due to an emergency situation or open only to certain year groups on a particular school day.  It will also have instructions for any students due to take public exams and may have instructions to particular year groups about school work.

For parents without access to the internet, the status of the school can be checked by calling the school reception number 01293 526255. We will endeavor to contact parents by text.