Attendance at Whitley Academy

It is vital that each student attends school daily with as little absence as possible. There is a clear and direct relationship between school attendance and performance in formal examinations.

The School requires your support in making sure that every day in school counts towards making good progress.

1. Please ensure that your child attends every day as far as is possible. If time off is required due to illness please make it the minimum amount of time possible.
2. Be aware that the majority of students have no time off at all. We reward full attendance every half term with a Certificate of Commendation.
3. You must provide a note that explains the absence on the day of return to school. These are to be given to the Tutor. The Tutor will decide whether or not to authorise the absence in the School Register.
4. If you are planning to take your child on holiday in term time we will only authorise the first 5 days as long as attendance is above 95%. After that the absences will be recorded as unauthorised. The School hopes that you can manage holidays within the school holiday periods.

We will monitor each student’s attendance every week. You can expect to receive a phone call on the first day of absence so we are aware of the reasons for absence and can discuss with you a return to school date.

Punctuality

School starts at 8.45 am. Students must be on site by that time. They are expected to be in their classroom for Lesson One by 8.50 am when a second bell is rung.

A Senior Member of Staff is on duty at the gate each morning and records the names of students who are late. If students are late they will receive a detention that day.

We believe that punctuality is an important part of learning at school and is a key lesson for later life.