All students should arrive on the academy site by 8:20am. If a student arrives to school after 8.30am, they will attend a 25-minute lunchtime detention on the same day. Letters and text messages will be sent out informing parents/carers of their child’s lateness.

Parents/carers are responsible for informing the academy on the first day of absence that their child is too ill to attend school wherever possible before 8.30am.

If your child is absent due to illness, we will require a medical certificate from your GP or a stamped medical card. Medical cards can be obtained from the Attendance Team or you can download and print your own.

Where attendance levels are of a concern and monitoring is in place, medical evidence will be required for all absences.

Telephone calls are made to every parent/carer of a student who is absent from the academy each morning. If we cannot make contact, a text message will be sent.

When students are absent from school for medical reasons, the onus is on the parent to provide evidence of illness, not the academy.

Whilst the academy embraces all faiths and cultures, it also recognises the importance of education. Wherever possible, we will try and accommodate all religious celebrations within our use of the flexible working day and prayer rooms.

However, as with all leaves of absence, this must be applied for in advance to the Principal. Absence without authorisation on these occasions will be unauthorised and may result in legal action.

The academy closes for 70 days of holidays each academic year and we expect all parents/carers will take their family holidays whilst the academy is closed.

Any parent wanting to take their child on a leave of absence from the academy should inform the Head of Academy in writing. The application will be looked at on an individual basis and you will be informed by letter of the outcome. However, it is highly unusual to grant leave of absence during term time.

Any holiday or leave taken without permission from the Principal will be unauthorised and legal action will be sought from the Local Authority.

If we have tried and your child’s absence continues to be a problem, this is called Persistent Absence. 

• Any child who has 3 days absence or 6 sessions in a 30 day period 
• Any child who has below 91% absence

*session equivalent of a half day in the academy; if our efforts have not had an effect then you will be asked to attend a meeting with the Attendance Manager, Head of Year or the Head of Academy.  

(Penalty Notice Warnings are issued to parents & carers after 5 sessions (2 ½ days) of unauthorised absence)

Support and guidance is always available from the Academy. Should you wish to access this support please do not hesitate to contact us.