Attendance
At Winterstoke Hundred Academy, we want and expect our students to attend school every day, unless they are really not well enough to.
We believe children who attend regularly are more likely to feel settled in school, maintain friendships, keep up with their learning and gain the greatest benefit from their education.
Attending on time every day also helps students form good habits which can stay with them throughout their education and on into the workplace.
Support for your child in school
Please remember we are here to help in any way we can. If you have any concerns about your child that you wish to discuss with us, please do get in touch.
You can contact us by calling the academy landline (01934 313290) between 7:45am and 8:30am and following instructions to your child’s year group extension number.
We can support your child best when they are in school and have outlined below some important information about attendance expectations at WHA.
Arriving at school on time
Arriving at school on time is not only essential for the student’s own learning, it encourages habits of good timekeeping and lessens any classroom disruption. Late arrival means students risk missing important information which can seriously disadvantage them.
Students can arrive from 7:55am and enter breakfast club from 8:00am.
- All students are expected to arrive at school in good time for the start of the school day at 8:35am. We encourage all students to arrive by 8:20am to mitigate any possible traffic issues.
- If a student arrives after 8:35am, they will be marked in the register as late.
Students arriving late will complete a detention at breaktime, unless there is an unavoidable reason for their lateness and the school do not consider a detention to be appropriate.
Staff may ask to meet with parents/carers of students who arrive late to school, to discuss reasons for lateness and solutions to support them to attend on time.
Illness
Students should attend school on every day the school is open, unless they are really not well enough to.
Minor ailments should not be a reason for staying at home. If your child attends school when feeling slightly under the weather, but feels worse during the school day, they can let a member of staff know and we will contact you if we think your child needs to go home. If you aren’t sure whether or not to send your child to school, please contact us 01934 313290 between 7:45am and 8:30am, follow instructions to your child’s year group extension number. and we will be happy to advise.
If your child is too ill to attend school, you must notify the academy before 8:30am on the first day of absence. If your child is ill for more than one day, you will need to notify the academy on each morning of the absence, unless otherwise agreed.
To report an absence, contact your child’s head of year or deputy head of year on 01934 313290 between 7:45am and 8:30am and follow instructions to your child’s year group extension number.
Please clearly explain the symptoms your child has, when the symptoms started, and when you expect your child to be well enough to return to school.
By law, schools must record all student absences and whether the absence is authorised or unauthorised.
Medical/dental appointments
Please try to avoid medical and dental appointments in school time. If this is unavoidable, arrange appointments so the minimum school time is lost. Unless it is an emergency appointment, parents/carers are expected to let the academy know about the appointment in advance, with evidence of the appointment. Your child should still attend school for as much of the school day as possible.
Unexplained absences
The academy will follow up any student absences where the parent/carer has not contacted us to explain why, or where we are unclear about the reason for absence.
If you fail to notify us of the reason for your child’s absence, it will be recorded as unauthorised.
Where the academy has cause for concern about the reason for a student’s absence, staff may seek additional information or evidence from parents/carers, and/or make a home visit to verify the reason.
Unauthorised absences may result in a penalty notice or prosecution.
Important reminder about term-time leave
Attending school every day helps children and young people maximise their learning and enjoy the benefits of their education. It really does make a difference.
For that reason, the academy will not authorise any leave of absence in term time, unless satisfied the reason is exceptional.
We ask parents and carers to request permission in advance, and only if absolutely necessary. Any requests should be put in writing via the appropriate form (available from reception) and wherever possible with at least four weeks’ notice. The parent or carer who the child normally lives with should make the application.
We also ask parents and carers not to make plans without discussing with the academy first, so that we can make good decisions together.
Family emergencies also need careful consideration. It may not always be appropriate, or in the best interests of the child, to miss school for emergencies which are being dealt with by adult family members. Wherever possible, please try to make alternative arrangements for your child so they can still attend school.
It is really important that we know where children are, as we have a duty to ensure they are safe. If we don’t know why a child is absent, we will follow our safeguarding procedures.
Parents/carers are reminded that unauthorised term-time leave may result in a penalty notice or prosecution.
Further information:
If you have any questions about the information provided, or any other attendance related questions, please contact Gemma Lock by calling 01934 313290.
