Attendance and Absence from School
Attendance is crucial to success in school. Your partnership with Arden Academy in ensuring regular attendance is fundamental to your child’s success.
Good attendance is directly linked to positive student outcomes. When students attend school regularly, they have the opportunity to fully engage in lessons, interact with peers, and benefit from the guidance of their teachers. Consistent attendance fosters a sense of routine and responsibility, which are essential skills for both academic and personal development.
We often associate 90% of anything has being very good. This is the opposite for attendance. Students with attendance below 90% are recognised as persistent absentees by the Department for Education. At Arden Academy we judge the impact of attendance as the following:
|
97-100% |
No Risk |
|
95-96.9% |
Slight Risk |
|
93-94.9% |
Some Risk |
|
90-92.9% |
Serious Risk |
|
Below 90% |
Severe Risk |
|
Attendance during one school year |
Equivalent Days |
Equivalent Weeks |
Equivalent Lessons |
|
95% |
9 days |
2 weeks |
50 lessons |
|
90% |
19 days |
4 weeks |
100 lessons |
|
85% |
29 days |
6 weeks |
150 lessons |
|
80% |
38 days |
8 weeks |
200 lessons |
As you can see from the table above, 90% attendance equates to 100 missed lessons, the gaps in learning would be extensive.
At Arden Academy we strive to provide the best possible education for your child, we recognise that every family may face unique circumstances that can impact attendance. Whether it be health concerns, family emergencies, or other challenges, please know that we are here to support you. If you are experiencing any difficulties that affect your child's attendance, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are committed to working collaboratively with you to find solutions and ensure that your child can continue their education effectively.
Absence from school
Absence (Year 7-11)
Summary of Requirements Regarding Attendance and Punctuality at Arden
1. Children must be seated in their form group at 8.40am (9am on Wednesdays) for morning registration; please emphasise with your child(ren) the importance of attending morning registration and getting an attendance mark
2.Children in school who have not attended morning registration without valid reason will be marked Late (L)
3.Morning registration closes at 8.40am (9am on Wednesdays)
4.Children arriving after the gates close at 8.40am (9am on Wednesdays)
will enter school through the Main Entrance, sign in and receive a Late (L) mark
5.Children arriving Late without a valid reason and note/appointment letter, will receive a same-day 30 minute lunchtime detention
6. Children who arrive after form time (9.05am) without a valid reason will be coded as an Unauthorised Late (O) and receive a same-day lunchtime detention. A “O” Code will affect their percentage attendance
7. Children who arrive after form time (9.05am) with proof of a valid reason will be coded as Medical (M) or other relevant code. An “M” code will affect their percentage attendance
8.Children must be seated in their lesson at 1.25pm for afternoon registration
9.Children in school who do not attend afternoon registration without valid reason will be marked Late (L)
10.Afternoon registration closes at 1.25pm
11.Parents/Guardians of children in receipt of 6 or more Late marks will receive a letter home regarding their punctuality
12.Where there are 6 or more Late marks and no improvement in punctuality further sanctions will be put in place
13.Our Attendance goal for all children is 100%
14.Children falling below 90% will be considered Persistent Absentees (PAs) and referred to the Attendance Lead (EWO)
15.Student absences should be reported no later than 8:30am EVERY DAY they are absent – our preferred method of absence reporting is via Edulink, or you can leave a message on the Absence Line – 01564-773348 (menu option 1). Should a parent/guardian not report an absence then school will make contact to establish why a child is missing from education. If there is no response the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and the matter will be referred to Attendance Lead (EWO) who may do a home visit
16.Reasons for absences can be questioned by the Attendance Lead (EWO) where absences occur at regular periods, on the same week day, with the same reasons or just before and after school holidays
17.Children will be rewarded for excellent attendance and improved attendance
18.Children with 10 or more unauthorised absences (“O” or “G” codes) will be referred to the Local Authority who will consider issuing a penalty notice. Every day in school consists of two sessions, therefore 10 absences equates to 5 days
19.All requests for leave should be submitted using the Absence Request Form (available on our website or from Reception). Leave during term time will not be authorised
20.For further details please refer to our Arden Attendance Policy
If in any doubt, please leave a message on the Absence Line as too much information is better than none at all.
School Day
| Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays | Wednesdays | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:40 | Registration & Form Period | 09:00 | Registration & Period 1 |
| 09:05 | Period 1 | 10:05 | Period 2 |
| 10:05 | Period 2 | 11:05 | Break |
| 11:05 | Break | 11:25 | Period 3 |
| 11:25 | Period 3 | 12:25 | Lunch |
| 12:25 | Lunch | 13:25 | Registration & Period 4 |
| 13:25 | Registration & Period 4 | 14:30 | Period 5 |
| 14:30 | Period 5 | 15:30 | End of school |
| 15:30 | End of school | ||
Condensed School Days
During the school year there are occasions when we finish the school day at 2:15pm, e.g., Parent Consultations. These days will be denoted in the calendar on the school website and in the children's school planners. The pupils still have 5 lessons on these days, of 50 minutes duration:
| 08:40 | Registration & Period 1 |
| 09:35 | Period 2 |
| 10:25 | Break |
| 10:45 | Period 3 |
| 11:35 | Period 4 |
| 12:25 | Lunch |
| 13:25 | Period 5 |
| 14:15 | End of school |
Absence Request Form
Arden Attendance Policy