Attendance Matters

There is a direct link between good attendance and achievement in the academy. Poor attendance has a direct effect on a child's attainment. For example, 90% attendance is not an acceptable level and the Government considers this to be persistent absence. What it really means in reality is....

  • On average half a day missed every week! (Would an employer think this is an acceptable rate of attendance?)
  • This would also mean 4 weeks missed per year!
  • Over 5 years at Buckler's Mead, half a year.


Referrals to the Education Welfare Service
In extreme cases of poor attendance a Warning Penalty Notice or a Penalty Notice may be requested from the Education Welfare Service. In other circumstances a parent meeting may be requested.

What is a Warning Penalty Notice?
Your child will be requested to be at the academy without absence for a period of time, if they fail this it will lead to a Penalty Notice.

How much is a Penalty Notice?
£60 if payment is made within 21 days, £120 if paid after this but within 28 days.

If payment is not made, the local authority is required to commence proceedings in the Magistrates Court for the original offence of unauthorised absence by your child. If proven, this can result in fines and/or a range of disposals such as Parenting Orders or Community Sentences. Criminal records may be received.

If you have questions regarding your child's attendance at the academy please call either their form tutor or Miss Darby (Attendance and Welfare Officer).

If your child is unwell:

Medical Absences
We would not expect any parent to send their child to the academy if they are genuinely unwell. However, if your child is going to be absent for 5 consecutive days we would request medical evidence to support the absence. If your child's attendance is already being monitored (and you have been made aware of this) you may be required to provide evidence for every absence.

We recommend that if your child is feeling under the weather, they should still attend the academy and we will contact you if they become too unwell to stay.

Term Time Leave
Students who are taken out of school during term time may find it hard to catch up and this can have a detrimental effect on their learning. The law states that parents do not have the right to take their children out of the academy for holidays during term time.

Any request for term time leave must be made in writing to the Head Teacher in advance. Requests will not usually be granted. The Head Teacher will only authorise term time leave in EXCEPTIONAL circumstances according to DfE guidelines. It is not the academy's responsibility to issue work during term time leave as your child should be attending the academy. Any unauthorised absence, including term time leave not agreed with the academy, could result in a Penalty Notice being issued to each child for every child affected. BMA will request a Penalty Notice, if students have less than 96% attendance and take a holiday during term time.