At The Discovery Academy, we expect pupils to arrive and to be collected punctually at the start and end of each day. We advocate strong attendance and punctuality each day.

For a 5-minute guide to the National Attendance Framework [Click Here]

It is vital that pupils attend school, on time, every day in order to gain the greatest benefit from their education.

Regular attendance at school promotes pupils’ well-being, maximises progress in learning and helps pupils reach their potential. The attendance pattern for all children is monitored weekly, with the school seeking to work actively with parents to ensure a regular pattern is maintained. One of our basic principles is to celebrate success. Good attendance is fundamental to a successful and fulfilling school experience. It is our duty to promote 100% attendance for all children. For our children to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered, it is vital that our pupils are at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.

All children have the right to an education, and we have put in place appropriate procedures to support this. We believe that the most important factor in promoting good attendance is development of positive attitudes towards school and learning.

96% – 100% (less than 7 days absence in a year) is good attendance.
96% is the national average attendance rate for a child at primary school.

There is no automatic entitlement in law to time off in school time.

All requests for a leave of absence must be made in advance by completion of the school form which can be found under the useful forms section or requested from the school office. Absence requests are only authorised in exceptional circumstances.

How to Log an Absence on Arbor (Click on image to enlarge): 

Attendance Policy: 

Attendance and Punctuality Policy

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. What should I do if my child is absent?
A. Contact the attendance team on the morning of the first day of absence. This is so we can ensure your child’s safety. There are various ways you can contact the team:

• Telephone the Academy on 01782 882100 and speak to Reception.
• Telephone the Academy on 01782 882100 and press 2 for the attendance answerphone where you can leave a message.
• Text into the Academy on 01270 260369
• Email info@thediscoveryacademy.co.uk

We do ask that you contact the Academy on each day of your child’s absence to ensure the safety of your child.
If your child is absent on a number of occasions, the academy may ask for medical evidence. This can be a copy of a prescription, an appointment card, medical letter or a stamped/signed medical card available from the Academy Reception. This means the Academy can authorise your child’s absence from school.

Q. What is a good attendance percentage?
A. 96 – 100% (less than 7 days absence in a year) is good attendance. 96% is the national average attendance rate for a child at primary school.

Q. What is poor attendance?
A. Anything below 95% attendance is worrying as your child has less chance of success. It makes it harder for the child to progress if they are missing key learning opportunities.

Q. What will happen if my child’s attendance falls below 95%?
A. Schools monitor pupil attendance every term. You will be sent a letter or invited to an Attendance Meeting at the school.

Q. I need to talk to someone about my child’s attendance / I need support with my child’s attendance. A. Our Attendance Team can help you with this and are able to support you with your child’s attendance. Please contact them via the office on 01782 882100.

Q. Isn’t my child entitled to 10 days holiday or odd days off for long weekends?
A. No. The school may only authorise an absence in exceptional circumstances.

If pupils take unauthorised leave of absence in term time, totalling over 5 days (10 or more missed sessions in school) in a 10-week period for unauthorised reasons, parents/carers will be served a penalty notice by Stoke-on-Trent Education Welfare Office (fine of £80 per pupil per parent).

Did you know there are 175 non school days per year to spend on family time, visits, holidays, shopping trips etc.?

Q. What is meant by genuine medical reasons to be absent?
A. Diarrhoea, sickness, childhood ailments e.g. measles, chicken pox, extremely high temperatures are genuine illness. Children should not stay home if they have minor coughs, colds, tummy aches and headaches. If your child is too poorly to remain at the school, the school will contact you. Please remember that even absence due to genuine medical reasons still affect a child’s attendance.

REMEMBER EVERY SCHOOL DAY COUNTS TOWARDS YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESS!

Working together to improve school attendance

Summary table of responsibilities for school attendance