Importance of attendance
Reporting absence
Punctuality

Why is attendance important?

Every day of education and indeed every lesson matters. In the National Curriculum where there is built in progression, children who are persistently late or absent soon get behind with learning and then do not understand current lessons when they return.

The introduction to a lesson and to the school day is crucial to the child’s understanding of their own learning. Children who miss school frequently will undoubtedly have gaps in their learning which will impede their progress and future ability to engage in lessons. This in turn has a knock on effect for their ability to concentrate and for their behaviour.

Frequent absence has a profound and cumulative effect on achievement.

Reporting absence

If absence is unavoidable then this should be reported to the Academy on the morning of the first day of absence and every morning thereafter. Absences must be reported by an adult family member before 8am on each day of absence. Absences may be reported via MCAS (MyChildAtSchool) or email.

MCAS link: here
Email: info@arkelvinacademy.org

Holidays in term-time is not permitted.

A pupil taken on leave during the term time will be marked in the attendance register as an unauthorised absence. The matter will then be referred to the Education Welfare Service. Please note that fines are issued for term-time holidays.

If there are exceptional circumstances, parents should write to the Acting Principal, Mr Cook, requesting a period of absence, clearly stating the reasons. The Principal will consider the request and respond in writing.

Punctuality

Punctuality is very important both to your child and the Academy. Gates will be open from 08.00am every morning.

Pupils should arrive by 8.23am for line up at 8.27am. 

  • Pupils who arrive after 8.27am will be issued with a 30-minute after school late correction.
  • Pupils who arrive after 9am will be issued a 60-minute after school late correction.
  • Pupils who arrive after our registers close at 9.30am will be marked absent for half of the day in line with Department for Education guidelines. Code U appears on the register in this circumstance.

Pupils must sign in at the Student Services desk if they arrive after 8.23am.