Attendance & Absence
Leaders give clear messages to pupils about the importance of attending school regularly and this is having a positive impact. Ofsted 2019
To report a student absent please email attendance@basildonacademies.org.uk
Absence Procedure
- Parents/carers should contact the school by 8.30am each day their child is absent.
- If no reason has been received for a child’s absence, the Academy will initiate first day calling.
- Parents/carers must provide medical evidence to support all absences due to illness or medical appointments.
- Wherever possible parents/carers should make appointments outside of school hours but if this is unavoidable students should attend school before and after the appointment.
- If no appropriate medical evidence is provided then the Academies cannot authorise an absence. (i.e. medical appointment card, prescription, doctor’s letter.)
Lateness
- Students are expected to arrive to school at the following times:
Lower Academy
Upper Academy
Year 7
08:55
Year 10
08:25
Year 8
08:55
Year 11
08:25
Year 9
08:25
Sixth Form
08:25
- Persistent lateness will be discussed at an attendance meeting. Parent / Carers are expected to attend.
- The academy may use the U code (unauthorised absence) for those arriving to school after registers close, 15 minutes after lesson starts.
Holidays/Term Time Leave of Application
- Term time holidays/leave of applications are not a parental right.
- A holiday form is to be completed for any term time holiday request, along with a covering letter explaining the reason for absence. The Academies’ Holiday form is available to print from our website.
- Authorisation of any leave of absence during term time would be an exception and would only be granted at the Executive Headteacher’s discretion.
- If the absence is not authorised and the leave is taken, the matter will be referred to the Local Authority who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent/carer for each child taken out of school. Failure to pay will lead to prosecution. Parents/carers can be fined up to £2,500 and/or imprisoned for failing to ensure that their child attends school regularly.
Attendance Procedure
- Parents will be invited into school to attend a School Based Meeting to discuss their child’s attendance if there are unauthorised absences.
- If further unauthorised absences persist the Academy will make a referral to the Local Authority to see if legal action needs to be initiated.
- If the absence is not authorised and the leave is taken, the matter will be referred to the Local Authority who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent/carer for each child taken out of school. Failure to pay will lead to prosecution. Parents/carers can be fined up to £2,500 and/or imprisoned for failing to ensure that their child attends school regularly.
**Parents should always keep the Academies informed if/when their contact details change.