Attendance

Our minimum expected attendance is 97%. The table below shows the impact of attendance below this level.

How we manage attendance

Marked as absent without reason

A text will be sent home, please respond via text or using the arbor app with a reason for the absence as a matter of urgency so that we know that your child is safe. Failure to inform us of the reason for your child's absence will trigger a home visit from the attendance and pastoral team that same day. 

Marked as absent with a reason

If your child is to be absent for three days or more (or where we have concerns for the child’s attendance) we will require a medical certificate from your GP or a stamped Great Wyrley Academy Medical Card stating your child is too ill to attend school. Medical cards can be obtained from the Attendance office.

Routine medical and dental appointments

• Medical appointments will affect your child’s attendance percentage if taken during school hours
• Appointments should be made outside of school hours
• For unavoidable appointments to be authorised, a written note signed by a parent/carer together with an appointment card/letter will be required
• Students should only be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary for the appointment, a full day’s absence will not normally be authorised

Lateness

• A late mark (L) will be applied to students who arrive in a morning after 8:40am but before registration finishes at 9:15am or after 1:30pm for the afternoon session
• Students arriving after 9:15am, without a valid reason supplied by parents/carers (preferably via the arbor app), will receive an unauthorised absence mark. They must sign in at the Reception upon arrival 
• All students arriving late will issued a 20 minute detention at lunch time that same day 

Leave of absence

• Any leave of absence, including funerals, religious observance and sporting fixtures must be applied for by the parent/carer with whom the student normally resides on a Leave of Absence Form as far in advance as possible, for consideration by the headteacher.
• In accordance with the local authority guidance the governing body will not consider authorisation of any leave of absence in the following periods of time or circumstances:
• During the first half term of a new academic year
• When the leave of absence would occur 2 weeks prior to or during internal examinations/assessments
• If in granting the request, the pupils attendance would fall below 98%
• Any Year 11 student

The above applies to all students, including those in sixth form. If a student has to leave the site for any reason, communication must be made verbally via a telephone conversation with the attendance team. Students must not leave the premises without the permission of the school.