Absence

We know that sometimes children cannot come to school because they are really unwell – and that’s the right thing to do for them and other pupils. However, medical advice is clear that children with a mild illness will often be well enough to attend – for example if they have a cough or cold without a temperature. The NHS guidance Is my child too ill for school? – NHS is designed to support parents/carers in their decision making about mild illness. 

Absence reporting procedure – If your child is absent from school you must ring the office, or send an email to office@stjames.tgacademy.org.uk   on the first morning leaving a message stating your child’s name, class and reason for absence. 

Absence must be reported daily. If we cannot establish a reason for absence or are not satisfied with the reason given for absence, we may make an attendance welfare home visit.

It will be at the discretion of the Principal whether any absence is authorised or unauthorised.

Holidays during term time will not be authorised under any circumstances.

Members of the Attendance Action Alliance have worked with the Department for Education to develop this short guide which helps parents/carers understand how they can work with their school and local authority to support their children to attend school and get the right support: Resources for families | Children’s Commissioner for England

Punctuality

It is important that pupils are punctual each morning so that they do not miss out on the beginning of each school day. Pupils must attend morning registration on time by 8.35am to be given a present mark. Arrival after the start of morning registration but before the close 9.05am will be recorded as late and an appropriate sanction will be given in accordance with the Academy’s Behaviour Policy.

The Academy is open for a total of 32.5 hours in a typical school week.