It is important for the school to work with parents in encouraging all children to attend school. All absences from school are required by law to be recorded. Absences will normally fall under two categories – authorised or unauthorised absence. In cases where your child is unable to attend school parents are asked to:- • Contact the school by telephone or letter if you know in advance, that your child is likely to be absent • notify the school first thing in the morning when your child is going to be absent. Let the school know the likely date of return and keep them informed if the date changes; • Give your child a note on his/her return to school explaining the reason for absence • inform the school of any change to the following :- home telephone number mobile number emergency contact details Requests for your child to be absent from school to make an extended visit to relatives must be made in writing to the head teacher, detailing the reason, destination and duration of absence and arrangements for their continuing education. On these occasions the pupil will be marked as an authorised absentee in the register. Family holidays during term time Every effort should be made to ensure that your child attends school during term time. Please contact the school as soon as possible if your child is unable to attend school. Family holidays should be avoided during term time as this both disrupts the child’s education and reduces learning time. If holidays are taken during times when the school is open parents should inform the school in advance by letter. If your child is taken on a family holiday during term time then in line with Scottish Government advice this will be classified as an unauthorised absence. However, in exceptional circumstances schools may register a family holiday during term time as an authorised absence when for example, parents are unable to obtain leave during the school holiday period. Clearly, absence with no explanation from parents will mean that the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. In our approach to raising attainment and achievement it is recognised that attendance at school is something that should be continuously encouraged. Parents/carers, children and the school all have a part to play in encouraging and stressing the importance of attendance at school. The school holiday dates and in-service dates are available from the website www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School operates an electronic text messaging system which informs parents by text/voicemail by 11.00am if their child is not in attendance at school. 

We make every effort to ensure the school remains open during term-time for pupils. However, on occasions circumstances may arise which can affect the school. Schools may be affected by, for example, severe weather, power failures or through any other circumstances that may impact on the school day. In such cases we shall do all we can to let you know if this happens. We shall keep you in touch by telephone, text, where appropriate, letters, web news and through local radio stations particularly if there are prolonged periods of sever weather. The Council’s website www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk will be used to let you know if the school is closed and when it will re-open. It is important for parents/carers to let the school know of any change to your mobile/home telephone number and change of address. If for any reason, you are unsure if the school is open, please contact the school or Education Resources, Operations Service, Almada Street, Hamilton. (Telephone 01698 454375) or email us at: education@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or visit the website www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Reporting will be ongoing and comprise of a range of activities which can include children presenting their learning, newsletters, and ongoing oral discussions. We will provide parents with reports so that you can see what your child is doing and how they are progressing. In addition, there will be parents’ meetings which offer you the opportunity to discuss how your child is progressing and how you can contact the school if you wish further information. The school will offer you an appointment time so that you can visit in person to discuss your child’s education. Our ‘pupil reports’ will help you to understand more about the curriculum each child follows and will:-  comment on strengths and development needs so that parents know what encouragement and support they can give  comment on aspects of personal and social development including attendance and behaviour  provide an overall assessment of the pupils’ level of attainment in each subject  give parents an opportunity to respond to the report and raise their own points for discussion  specify a contact teacher for parents Parents of students experiencing difficulties will be contacted through an early warning system which is co-ordinated by the Pupil support staff.

FOURTH/FIFTH AND SIXTH YEAR: We operate an early warning system by which a parent is informed of lack of application, absence, failure to do homework or constant late coming, etc. Candidates for the national examinations are liable not to achieve the grade in those examinations which the parent (and the school) has a right to expect of him/her, should these issues not be addressed. If you receive such a warning please discuss the matter further with the pupil support staff and with your son/daughter to bring about an improvement on the part of the pupil. The Head Teacher or a member of the senior management team will be happy to see parents at any time if a case is urgent. It is better to telephone and make an appointment whenever possible. We welcome any comments or additional information from parents to help us provide the best possible education for your child. Year Group Tracking Report Full Report S1 October& January June S2 November & May February S3 November & February May S4 September & March February S5/6 October & March November Parent/teacher consultation meetings are normally arranged as follows:- 

FIRST YEAR NOVEMBER 

SECOND YEAR MARCH 

THIRD YEAR DECEMBER 

FOURTH YEAR OCTOBER 

FIFTH/SIXTH YEAR MARCH 

Other evenings may be arranged during the course of the year on specific topics such as:- pupil attainment, curriculum information or briefing for excursions abroad. Parents are informed of these meetings by hand-delivered letter. In September there is a workshop for the parents of S5/6 where the range of NQ courses is outlined. In October parents of S4 pupils are invited to attend a meeting with regard to National Qualifications Courses and Assessments. In January the parents of S2 pupils are invited to a meeting where the Options procedures are explained. The important point is that you contact us without delay if you have concerns or worries about any aspect of our operation.