Attendance
We strive to provide a welcome, caring environment whereby each member of the school community feels valued and safe. Pool Academy is committed to providing a full and efficient educational experience for all students. We believe that if students are to benefit from education, good attendance is crucial. As a school, we do all we can to ensure maximum attendance for all students. Any problems that impede full attendance are identified and addressed as speedily as possible.
Please work with us to ensure good attendance for the benefit of your child.
Pool Academy values punctuality and good attendance very highly. Like all schools, we expect students to attend 100% of the time. 100% attendance is essential to guarantee the highest possible achievement. Our minimum expectation is that all students attend school regularly (at least 96%). All parents/carers have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school regularly. This is our minimum expectation as missing school damages children’s attainment levels, disrupts school routines and the learning of others.
Pool Academy is committed to improving overall attendance and reducing Persistent Absence (attendance of less than 90%) and we use a graduated set of attendance procedures while also working closely with an Educational Welfare Officer and the Local Authority to support parents in helping them to improve the attendance of their child.
Pool Academy works with the Education Welfare Officer and the Local Authority in reminding parents about their responsibility for making sure that their child attends school regularly. If a child fails to attend school regularly and punctually and the absence is recorded as unauthorised, a parent/carer is guilty of a criminal offence under Section 444 of the Education Act. Parents/carers must make sure their children attend school regularly and if parents/carers allow their children to stay away from school without good reason then a Penalty Notice may be issued which could, in turn, result in prosecution.
It is really important that students come to school on time every day. Lateness and attendance below 100% will have a negative impact on their studies, ongoing assessments and examination results. Regular attendance and good punctuality at school enables children to make the best of the educational opportunities available to them.
Punctuality
Pupils must arrive in school by 8.25am on each school day in order to be ready for 8:27am start. If a pupil arrives at school after the register has closed at 9.00am a pupil will be marked as absent.
Should a pupil regularly arrive late to school then staff from the Pastoral team will investigate the matter further and liaise with the pupil and parent.
Absence procedures
If a student is absent, parents or carers must notify the school on the first day of an unplanned absence by 8.30am or as soon as practically possible.
We will contact you by text through the automated system if your child is absent and you have not contacted us on the day of absence as this is important for safeguarding reasons. It is essential that you respond to this message if you have not already informed us of an absence.
Please note if your child has been absent for more than three days you will be asked for evidence that your child is unfit for school. It is at the school’s discretion what constitutes evidence. We really do appreciate your cooperation with this.
Medical Appointments
Where possible, we would ask that all routine medical and dental appointments are made outside school hours. Medical and dental appointments are only authorised if medical evidence has been provided, for example: appointment cards. If medical evidence has not been provided, the appointment will be unauthorised.
On their return to school a student should bring a letter from their parent/carer to explain the absence. Medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, prescription, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence will be required for absences longer than 3 days. Only a hospital appointment or a visit to the orthodontist will be authorised (evidence will be required).
Leave of absence during term time
Holidays during term time are NOT allowed. The school is closed for 13 weeks each year and holidays must only be taken during this time. There are approximately 175 non-school days in a year, thus leaving plenty of time for holidays, appointments and ‘duvet days’. Any absence during term time will be rigorously followed up by staff.
Taking a leave of absence during term time will only be authorised under exceptional circumstances in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Amendment) Regulations 2013. Furthermore, this is at the discretion of the Principal. Please provide a covering letter explaining why you would like your child to have a leave of absence during term time and attach it to the Leave of absence application form for the attention of the Principal.
What to do if your child is ill
There are still times when your child cannot attend school, for example when they are ill.
Parents/carers of students are asked to contact the Attendance line on the first day of absence and every subsequent day unless notified in advance. Contact can be made by telephone on 01209 712220 or by email to attendance@poolacademy.co.uk . The Attendance administrator will code the student’s absence electronically and will keep a manual record of all telephone calls received.
If the Attendance Administrator does not receive a message regarding absences, parents/carers will be contacted by text alert/phone. It is important that the academy is made aware of any absence for students in the interests of their welfare and legal compliance.
If you are experiencing difficulties in getting your child into school or there are any issues which may impact on their attendance, please contact your child’s form tutor in the first instance.
Thank you for working in partnership with us to achieve the highest possible levels of attendance and punctuality at school for your child.
Please read the documents below for further information.
