At The Vale Academy we all understand the importance of regular attendance at school and we are aiming for 97% attendance for all our students (attending 185 days out of 190 days learning). 

Research suggests that just 17 days absence from the academy equates to a whole GCSE grade lower than a student with full attendance. 

Students whose attendance falls below 95% (attending at least 180 days out of 190 days learning) are monitored by the academy attendance officer. 

We expect that parents/carers will: 

• ensure their children attend regularly; 

• notify the academy on first day of absence by telephoning us and provide medical information (eg medical appointment cards) when appropriate/if requested; 

• ensure that they have supplied sufficient contacts (we ask for three) for the academy to safeguard absent students; 

• ensure their children arrive on time, appropriately prepared for the academy day; 

• do everything they can to prevent unnecessary absences, such as making medical and dental appointments outside academy hours; 

• use the academy as a support when they or their child are having difficulties, and work to form a positive relationship with the academy so that there is easy communication when a problem arises; 

• Sign up to the Schoolgateway App; 

• enforce a regular routine at home in terms of homework, bedtime, etc.  

• do not take their children out of academy for holidays during term time. 

Students 

As part of our whole-academy approach to maintaining high attendance, we request that students: 

• be aware of the academy’s attendance rules, and when and what they are required to attend; 

• speak to their form tutor or another member of staff if they are experiencing difficulties at the academy or at home which may impact on their attendance; 

• attend all lessons ready to learn, with the appropriate learning equipment requested and on time for the class; 

• bring a note of explanation from their parents or carers to explain an absence that has happened or is foreseen; 

• follow the correct, set academy procedure if they arrive late. 

The Academy  

To support students to achieve their potential the academy will: 

• contact parents / carers on the first day that absence occurs if no reason is given; 

• contact students with an unexplained absence that have not responded to ‘Schoolgateway’ communications; 

• complete a home visit for unexplained absences and report these to the Police if they remain unexplained; 

• liaise with outside agencies, as appropriate; 

• provide information and advice to parents/carers on attendance; 

• implement the consequences for lateness and truancy as outlined in the Consequences Behaviour Policy©. 

If your child is absent, you must have a justifiable reason and you should telephone the attendance office on 01652 294511 before 8.45am on the first day of absence.