Attendance
At King’s Oak 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 your child’s class teacher or tutor in the first instance.
You can contact staff using their email addresses provided or alternatively phone into the corresponding school and request a call back.
Lower school: 01179 927 129
Middle school: 01179 927 128
Upper school: 01179 927 127
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.
Lower school: Students can arrive from 08:20am and classrooms open at 08:25.
Middle school: Students can arrive from 08:25am. Year 5/6 classrooms open at 08:30 and Year 7/8 classrooms open at 08:35.
Upper school: Students can arrive from 08:25am and classrooms open at 08:35.
- All students are expected to arrive at school in good time for the start of the school day.
- If a student arrives after 9:10am, they will be marked in the register as late.
Staff may ask to meet with parents/carers of students who regularly arrive late to discuss reasons for lateness and explore solutions.
Illness
Students should attend school 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 at reception and we will be happy to advise.
If your child is too ill to attend, you must notify the academy before 08:30am 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, regardless of what year your child is in, please ring:
01179 927 127 [There is an option to leave a message using Option 2.] This will be received by our all-through Attendance and Admissions Team.
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.
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 student reception) and wherever possible with at least four weeks’ notice. The parent or carer who the child normally lives with should make the application.
Parents/carers are reminded that unauthorised term-time leave may result in a penalty notice or prosecution.
School Based Anxiety
This link takes you to a self-help workbook for parents and carers to support their child who may be experiencing anxiety.
School based anxiety parent workbook
Further information
If you have any questions about the information provided, or any other attendance related questions, please contact your child’s head of school.
Lower School – [email protected]
Middle School – [email protected]
Upper School – [email protected]
