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Attendance and Absence

Unplanned Absences

Authorised absences are mornings or afternoons away from the Academy for a reason classified by the academy, not by the parents/carers, such as a genuine illness or other unavoidable cause. The Academy must be made aware of this before 8.30am on each day of absence (lines are manned from 7am), by calling the absence line (01424 711950 Select: Option 1). Please note, notification is only accepted by telephone. Medical evidence must be emailed to us on the first day of absence on:  tha.attendance@thehastingsacademy.org.uk     

If contact is not made with the academy for periods of absence, we will perform outreach welfare visits where we will reach out and ensure the student is OK. 

Planned absence

Attending a medical or dental appointment will be counted as authorised if the students' parent/carer notifies the academy in advance of the appointment. 

If a student is present at registration but has a medical appointment during the session in question, no absence needs be recorded for that session. We encourage parents/carers to make medical and dental appointments out of academy hours where possible. Where this is not possible, the student should be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary.

The students' parent/carer must also apply for other types of term-time absence as far in advance as possible of the requested absence. Absence requests can be completed by completing the  'withdrawal from learning. form

Approval for term-time absence

The principal will only grant a leave of absence to a student during term time if they consider there to be 'exceptional circumstances'. A leave of absence will not be granted for the purposes of a family holiday. A leave of absence is granted at the principal’s discretion, in accordance with local and national guidance, including the length of time the student is authorised to be absent for. Absence requests can be completed by completing the  'withdrawal from learning' form.

Withdrawal from Learning Application request

We are committed to work with our parents and carers, students and community to ensure every student has access to education. We promise that we will:

  1. Promote and maintain good attendance and punctuality
  2. Reduce absence, including where evident, persistent absence
  3. Act early to address patterns of absence and poor punctuality
School Attendance

Central to raising standards in education and ensuring all students can fulfil their potential is a commitment to attendance. Regular and punctual attendance is of paramount importance in ensuring all children have full access to the curriculum. Missing out on lessons or arriving late leaves students vulnerable to falling behind. Children with poor attendance tend to achieve less well than their peers.

We strongly believe every student should be at the Academy, on time, every day the academy is open, unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. Permitting absence from school without a good reason is an offence by the parent or carer. 

Key Staff

The staff responsible for attendance matters and to whom you should refer concerns initially, are:

Name Role Email
J.Mann Attendance Manager j.mann@thehastingsacademy.org.uk
  Attendance Team  tha.attendance@thehastingsacademy.org.uk

 

 

 

 

Summary

Our academy has a legal duty to publish its absence figures to parents and carers and to promote attendance. Equally, parents and carers have a duty to ensure their children attend, punctually, every day the academy is open to students. The academy staff are committed to working with its parents and carers to ensure as high a level of attendance as possible.