Attendance Matters
On Time: First Time, Every Time
Introduction
Receiving a good full-time education will give your child the best possible start in life. Attending school regularly and punctually are essential if children are to make the most of the opportunities available to them.
The academy day starts at 8.35am and so all students are expected to be on site by 8.30am ready for the start of the day at 8.35am.
All students are expected to attend every day.
Government research suggests that 17 missed school days a year = 1 GCSE grade DROP in achievement.
What you can do to help
- Make sure your child arrives at school by 8.30am. This encourages habits of good timekeeping and reduces any possible classroom disruption. If your child arrives after the register has closed without a good reason, this will be recorded as an ‘unauthorised’ absence for that session.
- If your child has to miss school, it is vital that you let the school know the reason for his/her absence on the first morning of the absence by 8.35am.
You can do this by contacting St Aldhelm’s Academy attendance officer Alex Mitchell on the student absence line (01202) 305184.
If you have any other concerns or questions regarding your child’s attendance, you can also contact the following:
- Mrs Hayley Yarrow (Vice Principal) on 01202 732500 or emailHayley.Yarrow@staldhelms-academy.co.uk
- Alternatively, you can contact your child’s Head of Year, It is better to do this sooner rather than later, as most problems can be dealt with very quickly.
- We also have a Family Liaison Officer who work closely with the attendance officer and Heads of Year to support students’ attendance. They can be contacted on: 01202 305175 or via email:
Mrs Natalie Hardy – Natalie.Hardy@staldhelms-academy.co.uk
Authorised and Unauthorised Absence
If your child is absent and we do not receive an explanation from you, or we consider the explanation unsatisfactory, your child’s absence will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’, that is, as truancy.
Most absences for acceptable reasons will be authorised e.g.
- Sickness
- Unavoidable medical or dental appointments (if possible, arrange these for after school or during school holidays)
- Days of religious observance
- Exceptional family circumstances, such as bereavement
- An interview with a prospective employer or college
We will not authorise absence for the following reasons:
- Shopping during school hours
- Holidays which have not been agreed
- Birthdays
- Looking after brothers, sisters or ill relatives
The Law
Parents/Carers have a legal duty to ensure that their child receives an education suitable to his/her age, ability and aptitude and any special needs.
Most parents fulfil this obligation by registering their child in a school.
If your child’s attendance is unsatisfactory and not improving despite support from the school, we will liaise with the Local School Council.
Leave of Absence
Due to the disruptive effect on a child’s education, no holidays will be authorised.
Parents do not have any right or entitlement to take their child out of school for a term-time holiday.
Any unauthorised leave of absence could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice fine being issued.
Any leave of absence for exceptional circumstances will be considered and we will look at each request individually.
The link to the form can be found here: Holiday Request Form
It is extremely unlikely that leave will be authorised if:
- A child’s attendance is already below 96%
- It is near or during exam or test/assessment times
- It coincides with the start of the school year/term
- The school believes that it may have a harmful effect on the child’s education
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT……
Attendance Statistics over One School Year
Students who attend classes are more likely to succeed.
