Guru's Verification engine ensures consistency, confidence, and trust in the knowledge your organization shares. Learn more.

Attendance Policy

image.png

Attendance Policy

SCHOOL AIMS

  • To promote a culture of excellence in teaching and learning.
  • To ensure a supportive, happy and secure environment for learning.

RATIONALE

The attendance of all students at Discovery Bay International School must be monitored, reported, and addressed in situations deemed necessary. To fulfil our school's key responsibility regarding the physical and emotional wellbeing of our students, we have robust procedures in place to record attendance and the reasons for student absences. DBIS has a legal obligation to monitor the attendance and absences of all enrolled students on the days when school is deemed to be ‘open for instruction’.

Furthermore, punctual and regular school attendance is considered an essential precondition of enrollment at DBIS and a prerequisite for effective learning. It acknowledges that irregular attendance seriously disrupts the continuity of learning, undermines educational progress, and can lead to underachievement and low attainment, potentially impeding a student’s ability to develop friendships within the school. Our school recognises the importance of promoting a positive and welcoming atmosphere in which students can feel safe, secure and valued.

PURPOSES

  • For our school staff to know or be informed of the whereabouts of all students on the days when our school is deemed to be ‘open for instruction’.
  • To promote the value and importance of regular school attendance.
  • When absenteeism reaches 95% of the attendance rate, the school will begin to monitor attendance through the appropriate personnel. If attendance continues to fall towards 90%, then we will take steps to assist and rectify the situation. Context is considered before decisions are made.
  • To adopt a positive and proactive approach towards attendance matters and encourage parents to take an active role in improving attendance, punctuality, and reducing absenteeism.
  • To maintain attendance registers (either manual or computerised) in accordance with school policy.
  • To accurately record and monitor all instances of absenteeism and lateness.
  • To clearly distinguish between absences that are authorised and absences that are unauthorised, and to be considered and acted upon by the appropriate senior leader accordingly.
  • To produce attendance reports from iSAMS, our student management system, for monitoring the correct register procedure, identifying persistent latecomers, and tracking non-attendees.

Guidelines

  • All student enrolment, ongoing enrolment and attendance compliance matters are at the discretion of the Principal. Persistent absenteeism may result in an enrolment review and possible cancellation of the related student’s enrolment.
  • Teachers must complete the electronic registration on iSAMS by the times specified below:
  • The office must be notified if you have any unexplained absences by the time registers are required to be marked for all sessions.
  • Office staff will seek to ascertain the whereabouts of any student considered to have an unexplained absence by 9:30 am.
  • Parents are required and will be reminded, from time to time, to report absences in the first instance using the JotForm below:

Student Unplanned Absence From School During Term Time

Student Planned Absence From School During Term Time

  • The school discourages children from being withdrawn from school for holiday purposes.
  • If a teacher has concerns regarding a student’s attendance, these concerns should be communicated to the relevant Head of Year and, if deemed necessary, the appropriate member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
  • The Heads of Year are required to monitor student attendance through iSAMS at regular intervals throughout the term.
  • An office staff member is responsible for verifying the completion of all class registers on iSAMS daily.
  • Teachers should be familiar with the attendance codes on iSAMS and use them accordingly.
  • Students must meet minimum attendance requirements to be eligible to represent the school in teams and events. Strong attendance is also a key consideration for advancement to the next year group and selection for school events and overseas trips.
  • DBIS is obligated to report non-attendance to the EDB after a student has been absent from school for seven consecutive school days. That is, the reporting is made on or after the eighth day of consecutive absence, which constitutes a late submission of student non-attendance.

Procedures for Promoting High Levels of Attendance

Conclusion

Discovery Bay International School will work to ensure that all staff, students, and parents are aware of their responsibilities regarding attendance, punctuality, and absenteeism. Regular attendance and the safe whereabouts of all students are considered to be of key importance by parents and staff at our school.

Created: 2.10.05

Last Reviewed: 31.10.25

Approved: 22.11.24

Last Reviewed: 31st October 2025


INTERNAL APPENDIX

Detailed Action Steps


An automatic email is sent to class teachers/form tutors by iSAMS at specified times.

1. Class Teacher/Form Tutor Responsibilities

Attendance is monitored at certain points throughout the calendar year (as advised by the academic calendar)

  • Threshold: When a student’s attendance drops to 90% below (and/or 90% below for the last four school weeks in the Secondary phase).
  • Conversation: Class teachers/form tutor to discuss and query attendance with students when concerns arise
    • Contact Parents:
      • Action: Call the parents to discuss concerns and email a summary of the conversation through iSAMs to assist in recording and monitoring.
      • Timeline: Within 3 school days of identifying the issue.
    • Document: Record details of the communication in iSAMs under ‘Wellbeing Concerns - Attendance'

2. Head of Year Responsibilities

  • Follow-Up: If no improvement within the agreed timeframe:
    • Action: Review the situation, converse with the student and contact the parents.
    • Meeting: Schedule a meeting with the class teacher/form tutor to discuss the case with the appropriate parent/s and/or student.
    • Document: Note all communications and actions taken in iSAMS.

3. Appropriate Leadership Responsibilities

  • Continued Concerns: If attendance continues to remain a concern after 4 further school weeks:
    • Action: HOY to arrange a meeting with the student, when applicable, and with parents if agreed, for the next step. Meeting with parents will include the Head of Year and an SLT member.
    • Discussion Points: Review the student’s attendance record, previous communications, and potential interventions.
    • Plan: Develop an action plan to support the student and communicate this to the parents.


You must have Author or Collection Owner permission to create Guru Cards. Contact your team's Guru admins to use this template.