We would like to extend a big thank you to all our Tewkesbury Academy parents and carers for supporting your children to attend school and engage so well with their learning during the last academic year. We know that this reflects the value our families place on children learning in school every day. We are looking forward to working with all our existing and new students and families in this new academic year, to support best attendance and learning.
At Tewkesbury Academy, we want and expect our students to attend school every day, unless they are really not well enough to.
We believe that 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.
The first day and week of term are very important in helping pupils to settle into school and the school routine. We know that children who attend every day during the first week of term are more likely to attend well over the year. They are also better settled into the changes that happen in new academic years, and therefore more readily able to access learning than those who miss out.
Thank you for your support in ensuring your child returns to school on the first day of term.
Please remember that 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. If we cannot help directly, we will work with you to help you find other support.
Your first point of contact should be your child’s form tutor who can be contacted via email or through Edulink.
We can support your child best when they are in school and have outlined below some important information about attendance expectations at Tewkesbury Academy.
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 pupils risk missing important information which can seriously disadvantage them.
Students can arrive from 8:00am and can purchase breakfast from the canteen before tutor time.
If students are repeatedly late to school, then they will be required to serve a detention.
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.
Students should attend school on every day the school is open, unless they are really not well enough to.
Secondary paragraph: 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 on 01684 292152 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, please use any of the below methods of contact:
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.
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.
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 actual reason for a student’s absence, staff may seek additional information or evidence from parents/carers regarding the absence, and/or make a home visit to verify the reason.
Unauthorised absences may result in a penalty notice or prosecution.
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 on the school website or 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. To assist parents/carers in booking holidays and arranging other events, please find the term dates and inset days for this academic year.
If you have any questions about the information provided, or any other attendance related questions, please contact
the attendance team via email: [email protected]
Thank you for your support. If you have any further questions, please contact me.
Yours faithfully
David Bunnell
Associate Assistant Principal – Attendance
