Absence

We know that sometimes children cannot come to school because they are really unwell – and that’s the right thing to do for them and other pupils. However, medical advice is clear that children with a mild illness will often be well enough to attend – for example if they have a cough or cold without a temperature. The NHS guidance Is my child too ill for school? – NHS is designed to support parents/carers in their decision making about mild illness. 

To report an absence: Parents/carers must contact the School on the first day of their child’s absence to provide the reason for the absence. They must maintain daily contact with the School on any subsequent days of absence. The system used by the School is as follows: Parents/carers to call the school office on 01789 721060 and if your call is not answered, please leave a voicemail. If you are aware your child will be absent from school ahead of time, please fill out a leave of absence form, which can be collected from the school office.

Absence must be reported daily. If we cannot establish a reason for absence or are not satisfied with the reason given for absence, we may make an attendance welfare home visit.

It will be at the discretion of the Principal whether any absence is authorised or unauthorised.

Holidays during term time will not be authorised under any circumstances.

Members of the Attendance Action Alliance have worked with the Department for Education to develop this short guide which helps parents/carers understand how they can work with their school and local authority to support their children to attend school and get the right support: Resources for families | Children’s Commissioner for England

Punctuality

It is important that pupils are punctual each morning so that they do not miss out on the beginning of each school day. Pupils must attend morning registration on time by 8.45am to be given a present mark. Arrival after the start of morning registration but before the close 9.15am will be recorded as late and an appropriate sanction will be given in accordance with the Academy’s Behaviour Policy.

The Academy is open for a total of 32.5 hours in a typical school week.