Important Information about attendance at Uphill Village Academy
Important Information about attendance at Uphill Village Academy
We would like to say a big thank you to our parents and carers for supporting your children to attend school and engage so well with their learning. We know that this reflects the value our families place on children learning in school every day. We are looking forward to continuing to work together, to support best attendance and learning.
At Uphill Village Academy, we want and expect our children 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 children form good habits which can stay with them throughout their education and on into the workplace.
Return to school arrangements
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 terms, 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.
We return to school on Tuesday 16th April 2024. Gates open at 8.35am and children are expected to be in class for registration at 8.45am.
Support for your child in school
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 the academy, please do contact us. Email us at [email protected] or our learning mentors at [email protected] If we cannot help directly, we will work with you to help you find other support.
We can be contacted on our April Inset Day: Monday 15 April 2024 by emailing [email protected]
We can support your child best when they are in school and have outlined on the following pages some important information about our attendance expectations at Uphill Village Academy.
Attendance Expectations at Uphill Village Academy
Arriving at school on time, every day
Arriving at school on time is essential for children’s 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.
Children can arrive from 8:35am and we have Breakfast Club provision from 7:30am. If you require Breakfast Club, please contact the office team on [email protected] All children are expected to arrive at school in good time for the start of the school day at 8:45am. If a child arrives at school after 8:45am, they will be marked in the register as late. Staff may ask to meet with parents/carers of children who arrive late to school, to discuss reasons for lateness and solutions to support them to attend on time.
Illness
Children should attend school on every day the school is open unless they are really not well enough to.
Minor illness or tiredness should not be a reason for staying at home.
If your child attends school when feeling slightly under the weather, do let a member of staff know and we will monitor them and contact you if we think they need to go home. If you aren’t sure whether or not to send your child to school, please contact us on 01934 626769 and we will be happy to talk this through with you.
If your child is too ill to attend school, you must contact the academy before 9:00am on the first day of absence, to let us know. If your child is ill for more than one day, you will need to contact the academy on each & every morning of the absence, unless otherwise agreed.
To report an absence, contact 01934 626769 option 2. Please tell us who is calling i.e. mum or dad. 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.
The academy will follow up any absences where we feel we need further information or feel it is in the best interests of the child for us to speak to you. We do this because we care, please do not be offended if we telephone to discuss your child’s absence.
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 absences where the parent/carer has not contacted us to explain why, or where we are unclear about the reason for absence. If you don’t tell us the reason for your child’s absence, it will be recorded as unauthorised.
Where the academy has cause for concern about a child’s absence, staff may seek more information or evidence from parents/carers, and/or make a home visit.
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 and wherever possible with at least four weeks’ notice. The parent or carer who the child normally lives with should make the application, although in the case of ‘split’ families both parents may be contacted about the request.
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.
If you have any questions about the information provided, or any other attendance related questions, please contact a member of the attendance team at [email protected] or [email protected]
