At Ernest Bevin Academy, we believe that excellent attendance is key for every student's success. This is why we have our ambitious attendance target of 96% for each student.
Research has proven that attending school regularly not only improves progress, but also helps students develop strong social skills, building lasting friendships and gain essential life experiences that help develop their character.
Consequently, poor attendance can lead onto undesirable outcomes, this includes and not limited to underachievement, increased vulnerability to harm such as Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), radicalisation, and mental health related concerns. Attendance is closely monitored as part of our safeguarding responsibilities.
Further to the above, the Department for Education introduced statutory guidance (click here), effective from August 2024. The guidance aims to reduce term-time holidays and unauthorised absences and supporting families whose children are struggling to attend school. A key quote from this campaign is, ‘Improving attendance is everyone’s business’. That is you (parent/gaurdian), us (school) and student, working together in unison to help your child excel.
What is Good Attendance?
We are frequently asked what good attendance is. The graphic below shows our expectations.
We expect students to be in every day.
100% Attendance Awards?
We expect 100% from all our students. This helps them attain their best results in school. Those who achieve 100% every week are put in a pool and are selected at random to win a reward.
Reporting Absences
Absences should be reported by 8:15 and by using one of the following methods:
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- Call 020 8672 8582, dial 1 and leave a message on the absence line being sure to include your child’s full name, reason for absence and their year/tutor group
- Send an InnApp message via Arbor clearly stating the reason for absence
- Send an email to absence@ernestbevinacademy.org.uk including your child’s full name, reason for absence and their year/tutor group
Failure to report your child’s absence will result in an unauthorised absence. You must report your child absence each day they are absent.
Term Time Absence
Holidays should not be taken in term time and written permission should be sought from the Principal in advance. Permission will only be granted in extenuating circumstances.
Click on the link below to download a holiday request form. This form must be printed, filled in and signed by the parent/carer and then handed to the academy office in advance of the requested absence.
The Academy cannot accept requests by email or the Arbor parent portal / app.
Attendance Support
We understand that there may be times when attendance is affected by circumstances beyond your control. Our Attendance Team is available to provide support and guidance:
Attendance Officer (Ms Sweeny) - Contact for daily absence reporting and general attendace inquiries.
absence@ernestbevinacademy.org.uk 020 8672 8582
Punctuality
All students are expected to be in school on time every day. The school’s new punctuality policy
is as such
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- All students should be in school and lining up in the playground by 8:40
- The student entrance will be closed at 8:38 and student who arrives after this time is
considered late.
- Any student who arrives between 8:38 and 8:59 will be placed into a break time
detention that same day.
- Any student who arrives from 9:00 onwards will be placed into an afterschool detention
for one hour that same day. This may also include time in the reflection room.
- There will be no exemptions from late detentions – if you call to tell the
school why your child is late this will not exclude them from being in
detention.
Latecomers must sign in at reception.
An appointment card must be shown if lateness is due to an appointment. A detention will be set for the same day if there is no acceptable reason for lateness.