Student Welfare

Ensuring that evvery child is known and cared for is at the heart of our approach as a school. In this section, you can find out more information about how we promote the welfare of all students, how we provide support when it's needed, and how we look after students' medical needs.

Harris Academy South Norwood has a range of policies and procedures in place that ensure the welfare of all of our students. Several of these policies set out expectations for excellent behaviour.  This means everyone feels safe and can learn, which includes excellent learning behaviour and conduct around the Academy and in lessons. We also have high expectations about how students communicate and behave appropriately towards other students and staff.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the welfare of your own son/daughter, please contact their Head of Year:

Welfare Officers And Attendance 

Excellent attendance is the expectation at Harris Academy South Norwood. The expectation is that students attend every day unless they are unwell, in which case parents or carers are expected to contact the Academy before 9 am on each morning of the absence.

To report an absence at Harris South Norwood:

Contact – Student Information Centre, via Ms Sian Hall 

Email: HallS@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk 
Telephone: 0208 405 5138

Attendance and punctuality

The Academy's attendance target is 96%. Regular attendance and punctuality to the Academy and to lessons are essential for all of our students to make good progress, achieve their academic potential and consequently have better chances in life. Attendance is a key performance indicator within the Academy. It is the responsibility of everyone in the Academy community to ensure they achieve this. The Academy monitors the attendance and punctuality of all students and reviews it weekly.

·         98% attendance = fewer than 4 days absent from school

·         95% attendance = fewer than 10 days absent from school

·         90% attendance = 4 weeks absent from school

·         85% attendance = 5 ½ weeks absent from school

·         80% attendance = 7 ½ weeks absent from school (Equivalent to one day per week absence for the whole year).

A child who misses a day of school per week throughout Years 1 – 11 misses an equivalent of over two years of their learning time in school.

Medical Needs

Harris Academy South Norwood is an inclusive community that aims to support students with medical conditions. Student medication is stored in the first aid room. The first aid room is overseen by Ms Saunders, who is responsible for the administration of medicines. Should you have any queries about the medical needs of your child, please email SaundersJ2@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk. It is your responsibility to ensure that the medical needs of your child are clearly communicated to the school so we, in turn, can care for them appropriately. The medical needs policy and allergy awareness policy that the school adheres to are attached below for your convenience. In addition, all forms that you may need to complete and return are attached in the Medical Forms Folder.

If a student has a medical need, the forms you will need are below. These should be returned to the first aid room overseen by Ms Saunders, they are responsible for the administration of medicines. You can also scan these forms in and email them to SaundersJ2@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk.

·         Medical Information Form - to be completed by all parents/carers

·         Parental agreement for the Academy to administer Medication - to be completed by parents/carers

·         School Asthma Card – to be completed if your child has Asthma

·         Students who use a Jext Auto-Injector - to be completed by parent/carer 

·         Students who use an EpiPen Auto-Injector - to be completed by parent/carer 

·         Students who have allergies but do not require an auto-injector - to be completed by parent/carer 

If a student has a special dietary requirement, please email the form below to SaundersJ2@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk or call the Academy’s main phone number and ask to be put through to the first aid room.

Please note that it is at the discretion of the Principal to refuse your child’s attendance if we do not have lifesaving medication on site.

Parents, please ensure you are mindful that some students at the Academy have food allergies, including nut allergies.

• Please ensure bottles and drinks are clearly labelled with your child’s name
• Please ensure that if your child has a packed lunch, you give thought to eliminating foods that may be of risk to other members of the school community, for example, nuts