Attendance

At Tavistock College, we are here to support every student in attending school regularly. We firmly believe that strong attendance is directly linked to academic achievement, personal development, and future success. We are committed to working in close partnership with parents and carers to support young people in making the most of their time with us. 

We understand that there may be times when attendance becomes challenging, and we want to reassure families that we are here to help. Please never hesitate to pick up the phone and speak to the school if you have any concerns about your child’s attendance or wellbeing. Our dedicated pastoral team will always do their best to support you and your child in whatever way we can. 

Support may include: 

• Pastoral check-ins with the student to understand any issues 
• Triage support with a member of the pastoral team 
• Single-session interventions focused on the specific area of concern 
• Meetings with the pastoral team to develop support plans 
• Referrals to partner agencies for further specialist help 

We work closely with a number of local and external support services including: 

• Tavistock Youth Café 
• Catalyst Mentors 
• Devon Education Key Worker Team 
• Mental Health Support Team (MHST) 

Our goal is to remove barriers to attendance and ensure every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Concerned about attendance?

If you are worried about your child’s attendance, the best first step is to speak with their tutor. If more support is needed, you can then contact the Head of Year.

Reporting an absence

Parents and carers are expected to inform the school by 8:00am if their child is going to be absent. You can do this in the following ways: 

📞 Call: 01822 614231 and select Option 4 for the absence line 
📧 Email: tcattendance@dmatschools.org.uk
Please include your child's full name, tutor group, and the reason for their absence. 

If your child is absent from Period 1 and we have not been notified, you will receive an automated email from our Attendance Officer. 

To ensure you receive these important communications, please make sure we have your most up-to-date email address on file. 

Please see below details of the college attendance policy and downloadable documents relating to holidays during schools times. 

Leave of absence during term time

The College will not routinely grant permission for leave of absence to be taken in term time and discourages families making an application for leave except in special or exceptional curcumstances.

Thank you for working with us to support excellent attendance and the success of all students at Tavistock College. 

FAQs

My child needs a medical appointment or orthodontic treatment during College time - what should I do?

• We completely understand that certain medical appointments, such as orthodontic treatments, have to be carried out in College time and parents/carers have very little choice on the times that they are offered.  In these cases we only ask that we are given advance warning and students return to College as quickly as possible.
• For all other appointments (such as doctor or dentist) we ask that, where possible, these are made after 2.30pm in order for your child to miss as little College time as possible.  Whole days will not be authorised for routine appointments.
• Students who are off College for more than 3 days will also require medical evidence to be given to the College – This can be a GP appointment card or medication/prescription.

Can I take my child our of College for any other reason?

• It is not in your child’s best interests to miss any College time.  Every College day counts towards your child’s future. Day’s off College add up to lost learning.
• Your child is at College for 190 days and at home for 175 non-College days a year.
• This time not at College gives families ample opportunity to go on holiday, visit relatives, taking long weekends, birthday treats or special days out, to go shopping etc.

I am concerned that my child is not ill but does not want to come to College - what should I do?

Contact your child’s Tutor, Year team or the Attendance Officer and make the College aware.  We can offer advice, support and strategies to work together to rectify the situation.