At Woodlands Academy, we want and expect our pupils to attend school every day, unless they are not well enough to.
We know that children who attend regularly are more likely to feel settled in school, maintain friendships, keep up with their learning and gain the greatest benefit from their education.
Attending on time every day also helps pupils form good habits which can stay with them throughout their education and on into the workplace.
The first day and week of term are very important in helping pupils to settle into school and the school routine. We know that children who attend every day during the first week of term are more likely to attend well over the year. They are also better settled into the changes that happen in new terms, and therefore more readily able to access learning than those who miss out.
Thank you for your support in ensuring your child returns to school on the first day of term and every day.
8:00am Breakfast Club.
8:30am School gates are open.
8:40am Children can access classrooms.
8:50am School starts.
Please note playground gates close and are locked at 8:48am as children need to be sitting in their classrooms ready for the register at 8:50am. If you arrive after 8:48am, the children will need to come in via the school office.
Please remember that we are here to help in any way we can. If you have any concerns about your child that you wish to discuss with us, please do get in touch. If we cannot help directly, we will work with you to help you find other support.
You can contact us by emailing [email protected]
Please state in the in the subject which teacher you want to your email to be forward to.
We can support your child best when they are in school and have outlined below some important information about attendance expectations at Woodlands Academy.
Arriving at school on time is essential for the pupil’s own learning, it encourages habits of good timekeeping and lessens any classroom disruption. Late arrival means pupils risk missing important information which can seriously disadvantage them.
Staff may ask to meet with parents/carers of pupils who arrive late to school, to discuss reasons for lateness and solutions to support them to attend on time.
Pupils should attend school on every day the school is open, unless they are really not well enough to.
Minor illness should not be a reason for staying at home. If your child attends school when feeling slightly under the weather, do let a member of staff know and we will monitor them and contact you if we think they need to go home. If you aren’t sure whether or not to send your child to school, please contact us 01173 533506 and we will be happy to talk this through with you.
If your child is too ill to attend school, you must contact the academy before 8.50am on the first day of absence, to let us know. If your child is ill for more than one day, you will need to contact the academy on each morning of the absence, unless otherwise agreed.
To report an absence, contact Woodlands Academy on 01173 533506 before 8:50am Please choose option 1 to report a child’s absence. You can leave a message on the answering machine., if you are leaving a message, please state why your child will not be attending school.
Please clearly explain the symptoms your child has, when the symptoms started, and when you expect your child to be well enough to return to school.
By law, schools must record all pupil absences and whether the absence is authorised or unauthorised.
Please try to avoid medical and dental appointments in school time. If this is unavoidable, arrange appointments so the minimum school time is lost. Unless it is an emergency appointment, parents/carers are expected to let the academy know about the appointment in advance, with evidence of the appointment. Your child should still attend school for as much of the school day as possible.
The academy will follow up any pupil absences where the parent/carer has not contacted us to explain why, or where we are unclear about the reason for absence.
If you don’t tell us the reason for your child’s absence, it will be recorded as unauthorised.
Where the academy has cause for concern about the actual reason for a pupil’s absence, staff may seek more information or evidence from parents/carers, and/or make a home visit to check the reason.
Unauthorised absences may result in a penalty notice or prosecution.
Attending school every day helps children and young people maximise their learning and enjoy the benefits of their education. It really does make a difference.
For that reason, the academy will not authorise any leave of absence in term time, unless satisfied the reason is exceptional.
We ask parents and carers to request permission in advance, and only if absolutely necessary. Any requests should be put in writing via the appropriate form available from Woodlands school office and wherever possible with at least four weeks’ notice. The parent or carer who the child normally lives with should make the application.
We also ask parents and carers not to make plans without discussing with the academy first, so that we can make good decisions together.
Family emergencies also need careful consideration. It may not always be appropriate, or in the best interests of the child, to miss school for emergencies which are being dealt with by adult family members. Wherever possible, please try to make alternative arrangements for your child so they can still attend school.
It is really important that we know where children are, as we have a duty to ensure they are safe. If we don’t know why a child is absent, we will follow our safeguarding procedures.
Parents/carers are reminded that unauthorised term time leave may result in a penalty notice or prosecution.
If you have any questions about the information provided, or any other attendance related questions, please contact Mr Rylands or Mrs Sheldon – 01173 533506
