It is vital that your child attends school regularly and punctually in order to learn and progress. We believe that every lesson is important and that every day your child is absent, has the potential to damage their achievement and affect their future.

Low attendance leads to underachievement and possible safeguarding concerns. Studies have shown that students with a higher % of attendance will simply achieve higher overall grades. Poor attendance can make the difference between a pass or fail, or being accepted onto their chosen college course or not.

Every day counts and every minute is important. Did you know that being just 15 minutes late each day is the same as missing two whole weeks of learning? With your help we can reach our target!

Good punctuality at school is essential for students to achieve their full educational potential and ensure there is no missed learning time. It is also vital for students to form good habits for later life. The academy recognises that parents/carers have a vital role to play in supporting and encouraging good attendance and punctuality. By accepting responsibility in partnership with the academy, we can work together to ensure the children’s right to a full education, as well as enabling parents/carers to fulfil their legal responsibility.

For children arriving late to school we follow the process outlined below;

• Students that are late to school (arriving after 8:30am) will receive a LATES correction for 30 minutes that same evening
• Students that are late to lessons (arriving to lessons after the movement bell) will receive a STRIVE correction for 30 minutes that same evening*
• Parents/carers of students who are late to school on three or more occasions in a week will be informed via a letter sent home
• Students who are persistently late to school or lessons will be placed on a Punctuality Report Card and parents/carers informed or invited into school to meet with a member of SLT

If you have any further questions or concerns then please do not hesitate to contact the academy on the following number: Miss Bicknell, Assistant Headteacher on: 0161 794 6215

*If students receive a STRIVE correction and a LATES correction they should attend the STRIVE correction first and then the LATES correction (maximum correction time of up to one hour)

Always keep us informed. If your child is unable to attend the Academy, for whatever reason, please contact us BEFORE 8:30am to explain the reason for absence. Our reception is open to take calls from 8am.

We urge parents not to take students out of the Academy unless absolutely necessary. Medical appointments should always be made outside of the Academy day or during holidays wherever possible. If your child has an unavoidable appointment during school time, we ask that you inform school and write a note in their Student Planner with, if possible an appointment card/letter. Your child will then be able to sign out at our main school office and be issued with a pass-out slip. We would normally expect to see your child in school for the session before and after the appointment.

School should receive an explanation for every absence. Any unexplained absence will be classed as unauthorised. If you know in advance that your child will be absent eg. religious observance, please notify our Social Inclusion Managers, Miss Clayton or Mrs Wilshaw, either by phone, email or SIMS Parent App as listed above.

All attendance will be monitored and any pattern of non-attendance, or a high number of unauthorised absences, may be referred to the Education Welfare Service and this may lead to legal action being taken against you. If a student has 10 or more unauthorised sessions, a fixed penalty notice will be issued by Salford City Council. We also request that after 15 days of authorised absence a medical certificate/evidence is provided to support your child’s absence. In addition to this, a medical planning meeting will be held. Failure to provide such evidence will result in the school involving the Education Welfare Service.

It is absolutely essential that we work together in removing any attendance barriers. Raising your child’s attendance means that we are raising their chances in succeeding. Quite simply, if they are not here, they cannot learn.

In September 2013 The Department for Education (DfE) announced important amendments to legislation surrounding holidays in term time.

The law now gives NO entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time. Leave of absence during term time will only be granted under exceptional circumstances; this does not include family holidays, celebrations or weddings.

Any application for leave must be made to the Principal who must be satisfied that the circumstances are exceptional and warrant the granting of leave. The Head of Academy’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.