Attendance & Absence (including Procedures & Policies)
NPA’s Registration and Absence Procedures
Registration
Students are not usually expected to enter the academy before 8.15am.
The legal registration is taken twice during the academy day, the morning registration is taken at 8.35am; the afternoon registration takes place at 1.45pm.
Any student arriving after 8.35am and 1.45pm will be deemed as late and therefore will be coded as ‘L’ on the register; a sanction such as detention/payback during break times or after school can be used to make up the missed time.
Students arriving after 9.05am and/or 2.00pm will be marked as unauthorised late; ‘U’ code. A ‘U’ code means the student has incurred an unauthorised absence due having missed the legal registration period; legal action may be taken for continued unauthorised absences.
Why is Attendance Important?
Attendance is extremely important because all children have a legal right to access a full-time education to ensure they can learn and develop into confident, educated, socially aware and employable young adults. Research demonstrates high levels of attendance and punctuality are crucial in ensuring students achieve their best, both academically and socially.
Parents/carers are required to notify the academy that their child is absent by 9.00am on every morning of absence giving the reason; calls should normally be made to the child’s House Office. This expectation is in line with safeguarding procedures as, if no call is received, it must be assumed that the child is on their way to school and if they do not arrive the absence will be followed up accordingly.
The academy will also operate a First Day Contact system; if students are absent without notification, parents will be contacted and asked for the reason for absence. After a period of absence Parent/carers are requested to confirm the reason for the absence in the form or a written note. If contact is not achieved a home visit may be deemed necessary to fulfil the academy’s safeguarding duties.
The academy reserves the right to make the decision as to whether an absence should be authorised. Although reasons given for absence will be recorded, the absence may not be authorised if the reason is not deemed appropriate, reasonable or if there are ongoing attendance concerns.
To report absence, parents should either: Text 07860 050051 (text only number) and include student name, house, year group and a brief reason for absence
OR Email attendance@neneparkacademy.org
OR Call main school number 01733 368300 and press option 3 for attendance and leave a voicemail if not answered.
All student enquiries should go to the appropriate House Office:
Brunel: 01733 368377 swebb@neneparkacaemy.org
Lennon: 01733 368366 ksalisbury@neneparkacademy.org
Nightingale: 01733 368363 ncloutman@neneparkacademy.org
King: 01733 368338 sshakespeare@neneparkacademy.org
Rowling: 01733 368333 fyoung@neneparkacademy.org
Winston: 01733 368313 gdybiec@neneparkacademy.org
Year 12: 01733 368319 bdavis@neneparkacademy.org
Year 13: 01733 368319 bdavis@neneparkacademy.org
NPA senior attendance champion: Rachel Ilgunas
Term Time Absence Request
An absence is classified as unauthorised when a child is away from school without the permission of the school. To request any leave during term time a Term Time Exceptional Absence Request Form needs to be completed in advance (we ask for 3-weeks to allow for full consideration and response). You may add an additional letter and/or documentations with the form, if you feel more information will support your request.
Please find a downloadable copy of the Term Time Absence for Exceptional Circumstances Request Form below.
Reminder – It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to provide information and evidence to the academy to demonstrate their request is exceptional so that the request can be appropriately considered.
The following will not meet the exceptional circumstances criteria, but this list is only a demonstration of what does not meet the criteria, it is not a definitive or exhaustive list:
- Looking after other children, Birthdays or Shopping trips,
- Truancy before or during the school day, or any unexplained absences,
- Late arrival at school after registration has closed,
- Holidays inc., cheaper holidays/flights, or any absence for recreation or leisure purposes,
- Unagreed leave, or absence that has no exceptional cause evident,
- Visiting family or friends (even if they have different term time dates) in the UK or overseas,
- Family weddings of more than 1 day of immediate family members,
- Medical treatment overseas (unless it was an emergency treatment whilst abroad as part of a pre-authorised absence (evidence will be required)), or it can be demonstrated it cannot be done in the UK.
NPA’s Attendance Policy (takes you to the Meridian Trust Policy)
Meridian Trust Attendance Policy
Term Time Exceptional Absence Request Form – Years 7 to 11
Term Time Exceptional Absence Request Form – Years 12 & 13