Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends the Academy regularly and arrives on time each day. We expect students’ attendance to be 96% or above and are always grateful for parental support, as only by working in partnership can we achieve this aim. We do appreciate that there may occasionally be good reason for absence but strongly believe that attendance has a direct link to achievement and so high records of attendance remain a priority at the Academy.
Parents are expected to:
- Ensure their child attends every day the school is open except when a statutory reason applies.
- Notify the school as soon as possible when their child has to be unexpectedly absent (e.g. sickness).
- Only request leave of absence in exceptional circumstances and do so in advance.
- Book any medical appointments around the school day where possible.
Schools are expected to:
- Have a clear school attendance policy on the school website which all staff, pupils and parents understand:
Click here to view the Attendance & Punctuality Policy
- Develop and maintain a whole school culture that promotes the benefits of good attendance. Please see below for some of the rewards offered.
- Accurately complete admission and attendance registers. These are completed at the start of every lesson. Log in to your School | Arbor
- Have robust daily processes to follow up absence. Our Year Leaders & Attendance Officer follow up absences with day 1 calls and home visits when required.
- Have a dedicated senior leader with overall responsibility for championing and improving attendance. Mrs N Devine is our Assistant Principal responsible for behaviour & attendance.
Arbor
Parents have access to Arbor which enables them to track their child’s attendance and punctuality at the Academy
Attendance Rewards
The following table illustrates the rewards that students will be given if they have 100% attendance and/or punctuality for any week or half term.
- Students achieving 100% attendance each week receive 1 positive point
- Students achieving 100% punctuality each week receive 1 positive point
- Students achieving 100% attendance each half term receive 3 positive points
- Students achieving 100% punctuality each half term receive 3 positive points
- Regular emails to Parent’s regarding Attendance
- Certificates and prizes on a termly/end of year basis
All positive points issued contribute to pop-up rewards which take place throughout the academic year, including the Summer Festival at the end of the summer term.
Term Dates
Term Dates – Bluecoat Aspley Academy and those for future years where available.
Absence
Regular attendance is vital to your child’s education. Missing school can significantly impact
their academic progress, social development, and overall success. We understand that there are
circumstances where absences are unavoidable, and we encourage open communication with the
school to discuss any issues that may arise.
As part of ongoing efforts to ensure that all children receive the full benefit of their education,
the government has implemented changes to the Penalty Notice fines related to unauthorised
absences. These changes are aimed at addressing persistent absenteeism and encouraging
regular attendance, which is crucial for your child’s academic success and overall development.
What’s changing?
With the introduction of the new National Framework for penalty notices, the following changes
came into force on 19th August 2024. Penalty notices Fines will continue to be issued per
parent, per child and will be issued for:
Term-time leave:
What is considered to be an Unauthorised Absence?
An absence is considered unauthorised when it is not approved by the school in advance or when
no valid reason is provided. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Holidays taken during term time without the school’s permission.
- Absences not reported or explained by parents/guardians.
- Other absences not deemed valid by school policy.
How Can You Avoid Fines?
- Ensure that your child attends school regularly (our target is 98%) and on time.
- Inform the school of any absences promptly, providing a valid reason.
- Request approval for any planned absences in advance, understanding that approval is
subject to the school’s attendance policy.
We understand that there are times when absences are unavoidable, and we appreciate the
efforts you make to ensure your child is in school whenever possible. Your continued support in
prioritising regular attendance is crucial for helping your child reach their full academic
potential.
If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance or need assistance to improve it, please
don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to work with you to ensure that every student has the
best possible chance to succeed.
More information can be found on the Nottingham City Council School Attendance page.
