Attendance

Full attendance is important

We want all students to take advantage of the opportunities provided by Sir Robert Pattinson Academy. Evidence shows that there is a link between poor attendance and underachievement. Good attendance helps students to develop a sense of responsibility and helps them to form good habits that prepare them for the world of work.

Students not in school are more at risk of failing to achieve, they run greater risk of getting involved in crime or becoming victims of crime. Students who have irregular attendance may find it difficult to catch up with work and miss out on social experiences within the Academy. We want all students to fulfill their individual potential and in order for this to happen, we need your co-operation and support in ensuring that we have full attendance and excellent levels of punctuality.

The law requires that parents/carers are responsible for ensuring that their child attend school and are on time. This guide will explain clearly what our expectations are regarding attendance and punctuality and how we will deal with any problems or issues to do with your son/daughter in this area.

 

Attendance and Punctuality

We expect your child to attend Sir Robert Pattinson Academy every day unless they have of the following authorised absences:

  • He/she is too ill to attend
  • He/she has a medical appointment
  • Other circumstances authorised by Sir Robert Pattinson Academy

We also expect your child to be punctual to every lesson and would ask that you reinforce this with your child. Late entry to lessons disrupts the learning of other students and we will take action if an issue with lateness persists.

 

Unauthorised Absence

This occurs when your child has been absent and the absence has not been explained or we do not consider the reason for the absence to be acceptable. Some reasons we consider unacceptable are:

  • Holidays during term time
  • Taking the last day of term off
  • Lack of uniform
  • Looking after younger children
  • Birthdays
  • Shopping
  • Staying in for deliveries

 

Holidays in Term Time

Holidays in term time will not be approved unless there are exceptional circumstances. In order to have a holiday approved parents/carers’ must apply in writing on a Leave of Absence form available from their tutor or the Parent Portal. Applications MUST be made in writing at least 4 weeks in advance of the intended date of absence. It is parents/carers’ responsibility to check term dates. Holiday requests during or leading up to exams will always be refused.

 

Truancy

This occurs when your child misses school without authorization or registers for school but does not then attend lessons. We do not accept truancy and we will not accept truancy and will inform you of any suspected truancy and will place your child in detention.

 

What will we do to monitor attendance and punctuality?

We will contact you on the first day of absence, if you have not informed us why your child is absent.
Send you an absence letter if we have not been able to contact you.
Send you attendance and punctuality statistics as part of our progress reports.
Our registration is in the morning at 08.45 and we expect students to be on the school site at 08.30 ready to make their way to registration at 08.40

 

Warning Letters/Fixed Penalty Notices/ Parental Prosecution

Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their child receives an education suitable to his/her age, ability, aptitude and any special needs.

Should the attendance team consider that a parent is unwilling or unable to ensure their child attends school regularly without good reason then a Fixed Penalty Notice may be issued (£120 reduced to £60 if paid within 28 days). If the issues continue prosecution through the Magistrates Court and fines of up to £2500 and/or imprisonment for 3 months may be considered. In some very rare cases the Academy may have to consider parental prosecution under Section 444 of the 1996 Education Act.

Senior Attendance Officer

Miss J Ellingford

Absence Text Service: 07526750764

Concerns and enquiries after 10:30am:

01522882020 (option 2) attendance@srpa.co.uk

Attendance & Vulnerable Groups Officer

Miss J Lilley

Absence Text Service: 07526750764

Concerns and enquiries after 10:30am:

01522882020 (option 2) attendance@srpa.co.uk

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