Attendance

Why is this important and how does it link to our values?

We take attendance and its link to attainment, very seriously at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy and expect all students to be reaching an attendance target of at least 98%.

We have one of the highest attendance records across Sandwell based on recent data, and have been in receipt of the OAT Gold Award, for attendance, for five consecutive years. This is a clear testament to the support provided by parents/carers and dedication exhibited by our students and staff to strive for excellence.

Attendance

Attendance is recorded in the morning and in the afternoon. In a full week, this would amount to ten full sessions (am and pm marks). Students need to be in the academy before the registers close, to receive their AM session mark.

Part of our reward and recognition scheme is linked to attendance data. Students are recognised for their outstanding attendance to the academy and we are equally proud of their achievements.

Punctuality

The Academy day starts at 8.35am for registration and students are expected to be on site by 8.30am everyday.  Any amount of minutes late to the Academy add up to learning time lost and therefore students are issued with a 20 minute lunchtime detention EVERY TIME they arrive late to the Academy.

Attendance Service

The Academy works in partnership with the Attendance Service to ensure regular attendance from all of its students and to assist and support students and their families.  If your child is not attending the Academy regularly, the absence has not been authorised by the Academy and there has been no improvement following the Academy’s attempts to get an improvement, an Attendance & Prosecution Officer may visit you.  This may result in legal action being taken.

It is a Parents/Carers responsibility to ensure their child attends the Academy regularly and on time.  Whilst we appreciate that sometimes absence is unavoidable, due to illness, any medical appointments or holidays taken during term time, will impact on your child’s attendance and in turn their attainment.  It is proven that attainment is connected to good attendance, missing crucial time at the Academy could have an impact on any exams that your child may be taking, remember that one day’s absence is 5 lessons missed, one week’s absence is 25 lessons missed.  This is valuable learning time that cannot be given back.  Your child misses out every time they are absent from the Academy, so consider this and make medical or dental appointments outside of Academy hours where possible. A change to regulations effective from 1st September 2013 means that students cannot be granted leave of absence during term time.