Lee Mount Academy aims to ensure that all its pupils receive a well-balanced full-time education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise his/her true potential
Regular and punctual attendance helps children to do well at school. If children are to achieve their full potential, we expect and encourage good attendance habits. Attendance is the responsibility of all: staff, parents, pupils and governors. We want every child to strive towards excellent attendance and as an incentive to promote this, we celebrate 100% attendance on a half termly basis via a celebration assembly within which attendance t-shirts are awarded. As the year progresses, children who gain 100% attendance for the whole academic year, have the opportunity to receive a gold t-shirt, which celebrates their high level of commitment.
Â
Attendance is monitored daily by the Attendance Administration Officer who acts swiftly when attendance becomes a concern. Parents/carers need to make sure they ring the office to inform of us an absence as soon as possible, if this is not done, we will ring you to find out the reason for the absence.Â
If we are unable to make contact, a home visit will be made on the same day.
Â
If you do need to take your child out of school, you must fill out a ‘Leave of absence request’ form which can be obtained from the office. This gives us vital information about your child’s whereabouts and their first and last day of absence. For children to achieve their full potential and have a successful future, they need to attend school punctually every day.
Punctuality
Punctuality is key for pupils to gain the greatest benefit from their education. Our pupils are required to arrive between 8.40-8.50am into their designated year group area. It is vital that they not only attend school regularly, but are also punctual, as late arrival disrupts teaching routines and may affect the learning of others in the same class; every pupil should have access to the full-time education to which they are entitled. Good time keeping is a vital life skill which will help our children as they progress through their school life and out into the wider world.
You will need to obtain a leave of absence form from the school office. Please try to give school as much notice as possible.
It is important we know where your child is and that they are safe and well. We also need to know when their first and last days of absence will be.
The Local Authority can issue a penalty notice (fine) for each parent for each child if you take your child out of school for 10 or more school sessions which equates to 5 days. This will be issued on your child’s return to school. The fine is £80 per child for each parent if paid within 21 days and £160 if paid within 28 days. In the case of a repeated fine, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any 3 year period, this will automatically be charged at the higher rate of £160. Fines per parent will be capped to 2 fines within any 3 year period. Once this limit has been reached, further action such as a parenting order/prosecution will be considered. If you are prosecuted, you could be fined up to £2500.Â
If you take your child out of school for 20 or more school days then there is a possibility your child will be taken off roll and therefore lose their school place. We cannot guarantee your child will have a place at school upon your return.
You will not receive a fine for nursery age children because they are not of statutory school age. However, your child will lose their nursery place if they are absent for 20 or more school days. Our nurseries are very popular and we have lists of children waiting to start, therefore we cannot guarantee their nursery place on your return.
If you haven’t informed the academy office regarding your child’s absence, we will follow our absence procedures. This includes sending a text, a phone call or even a home visit.Â
