It is expected that your son/daughter attend the Academy every day.

In the event of absence, the attendance office must be rung on each day of the absence by 8am.

Attendance phone number: 01493 720542 – Ext 201
Attendance email: attendance@caisteracademy.org.uk

Parents/carers must leave the following information:

• Name of pupil
• Year group
• Reason for absence
• Date of return
• Name of person leaving the message

If your child does not attend school we will:

• Send a truancy call every day that we are not contacted by parent/carers.
• Expect absent pupils to catch up on missed work on their return.
• Our Attendance Office may visit your home address should we have any concerns.

Medical Appointments

Where possible, routine doctor and dental appointments for students should be made outside school hours. If a student has an orthodontist or paediatrician appointment to attend within school hours, the Attendance Team will require evidence of the appointment, ie, a copy of the appointment letter.

Injuries / Mobility Difficulties

If your child has an injury or requires special medical assistance when they return to school, please telephone or email attendance@caisteracademy.org.uk to discuss your child’s mobility needs. For example, if they need crutches to help them to walk, we will need to make special arrangements for them to move around the Academy. 

Holidays during Term-Time

Holidays during term-time will not be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances. Applications for absence are available upon request and should be submitted to the Attendance Team.

 We would like to remind you that the following implications can occur following absence from school:

• Your child’s education will suffer
• Lessons and extra-curricular activities are missed
• Continuity of project work/coursework is lost
• Friendship groups can breakdown
• Tests and exams could be missed

You will breach your legal obligation of ensuring that your child has a ‘full and efficient education’ (section 576, education/act 1966).

Application for Pupil Leave of Absence from School during Term Time

What are the legal conditions?

The Local Authority has introduced a system where any pupil who has an attendance of 85% or less with at least 15% unauthorised absences over a 6-week period or 10 consecutive sessions unauthorised absence will meet the criteria for legal intervention which could be in the form of a Fixed Penalty Notice.

If a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued it is a fine of £60 per parent per child, and must be paid in one payment within 21 days. If that goes unpaid, then a further invoice for £60 per parent per child will be issued and both fines, totalling £120 per parent per child will have to be paid in full within 28 days.

Failure to pay the total amount within the timescale will result in legal action being taken.

Local Authority’s updated criteria for Fixed Penalty Notices