Attendance

At Half Acres Primary Academy we work closely with parents and carers to achieve and maintain high standards of attendance. For a child to reach their full educational potential, coming to school every day is essential. We are committed to providing an education of the highest quality for all our children in an environment where all pupils feel welcome and valued. Every child has a right to access the education to which they are entitled.

It is our duty to consistently strive to achieve a goal of 100% attendance for all children. We use every opportunity to convey to pupils and their parents or carers the importance of regular and punctual attendance. For our children to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered it is vital a child is at school, on time, every day the school is open, unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. High attainment, confidence with peers and staff and future aspirations depend on good attendance.

As set down by the Department for Education, schools are only able to authorise absence from school in exceptional circumstances. When requesting an authorised absence from school you will need to explain why the circumstances are exceptional. Please note there is no general right to authorise absence for a family holiday and if you take your child out of school without permission the absence will be unauthorised and a Penalty Notice may be considered.

Explanation of Annual Percentage (%) Attendance

If your child’s attendance is under 95%, they are missing at least two weeks of learning time a year. If their attendance is at 90%, they are missing four weeks. This will significantly affect their work and reduce their grades.

Explanation of Late Attendance

Every school day counts, but It is also important that your child is on time for school as lost learning due to late attendance adds up over time.

5 minutes late per day = 3 days lost in a year

10 minutes late per day = 6.5 days lost a year

15 minutes late per day = 10 days lost a year

20 minutes late per day = 13 days lost a year

30 minutes late per day = 19 days lost a year

If your child is consistently late for school, this will significantly affect their work and reduce their grades.

Roles/Responsibilities

The responsibilities in relation to attendance are as follows:-

Hello, I’m Ms Young the Attendance and Behaviour Officer here at Half Acres Primary Academy.

Good attendance is perhaps the most important factor in successful learning. Half Acres Primary Academy recognises that there is a clear link between student attendance and achievement, and that students with good attendance have the best chance of being successful. At Half Acres Primary Academy, students are encouraged to have 100% attendance, and aim for a minimum of 97% over the Academic year.

Parents are requested not to arrange family holidays or visits during term time. Applications for such visits will not be approved and will count as unauthorised absence, which could lead to a penalty notice being issued.

Punctuality is essential if your child is going to make the most of their learning. If your child is absent then you must telephone the Academy office by 9:00am each day your child is absent.

Classroom doors close at 9.00am sharp, after this time your child will need to be signed in at main reception and will receive a late mark. If your child arrives after 9.10am your child will received a U mark, this means that your child arrived after registers closed and therefore is an unauthorised absence mark. In line with Half Acres Academy’s Attendance Policy any child that receives 10 late marks within the academic year, any further late marks will be recorded as U (unauthorised absence) and could result in a penalty notice.

Mrs Taylor (Headteacher) and I are always around the school grounds on a morning if you would like to discuss any of this information further.

If you have any questions or require further support please feel free to contact me here at the academy or on 01977 802325.

Current School Attendance