Student Attendance
At Brompton Academy, we believe that consistent attendance plays a vital role in fostering academic success, social development, and a sense of belonging. When pupils attend school regularly, they benefit from continuous learning, active participation in class discussions, and the opportunity to build positive relationships with their peers and teachers.
Good attendance and punctuality are important for achieving success at school and are important life skills.
Absence from school disrupts learning and hinders progress. Ensuring regular attendance at school is a legal responsibility for parents/carers.
As a school our expectation is that students will achieve a minimum of 96% attendance combined with excellent punctuality. Attendance below 90% is classified as persistent absence by the Department for Education and below 50% is classified as severe absence.
We track and monitor attendance throughout the year and work with many individual students and their families to overcome barriers to good attendance. We also send updates to parents/carers of children where attendance has dropped below 90% to ask for their support in trying to minimise future absence, which could have a detrimental impact on a child’s progress, attainment, and wellbeing.
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If students are not in school a justifiable reason must be provided, parents/carers should contact the Attendance Team by 8.30am or as soon as possible thereafter via telephone or email.
School absence line: 01634 852341
School absence email: attendanceba@universityofkentacademiestrust.org.uk
The table attached HERE indicates the impact that absences can have on attendance and learning over time.
If a student’s attendance falls below 90%, they are classified by the Government as being a Persistent Absentee and are at much greater chance of not reaching their full potential in their GCSE studies.
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At Brompton Academy all staff have a responsibility for attendance and supporting students to attend school regularly.
Our Senior Attendance Champion is: Mr. Stanley - Vice Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Our Senior Attendance Manager is Mrs. Bonifas
Our Attendance Officer is Mrs. Otteson
All three are contactable via attendanceba@universityofkentacademiestrust.org.uk
In addition, all students are supported with their attendance through their Form Tutor and Head of Year.
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Good punctuality is an excellent life-skill, and we expect all our students to arrive in school before 8:25am. For any student who arrives after 8:25am, we operate a ‘late gate’ through reception and students will receive a detention.
Arriving just 5 minutes late every day is the equivalent to missing three days of education over the whole year. 10 minutes late every day will mean that a child loses over 30 hours of learning a year.
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The following advice and support has been collated from Government advice and educational bodies around the support required to improve attendance.
Talk to your child about the importance of attending every class to support their learning.
Help your child maintain daily routines; write out a morning and evening routine to follow, including wake up time, leaving the house, completing homework and a bedtime.
Having a routine for getting up, getting dressed, having breakfast and leaving the house can create a sense of confidence and reduce stress.
Prepare the night before by checking their timetable, packing bags and laying out clothes.
Ask about their school day; learn which classes are engaging your child’s interests.
Discuss ways to increase interest in classes your child does not find engaging.
Encourage meaningful after school activities, including sports and clubs.
Discuss feelings of pressure from other children or feeling alone at school which can lead to skipping or missing school.
If your child is feeling unsafe, losing interest or missing school, speak to their Head of Year.
Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
Schedule dental and medical appointments outside of the Academy hours.
Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick; medical evidence will be requested.
Communicate with the Academy - talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behaviour. These could be tied to something going on at school.
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child be successful during GCSE exams and throughout their future careers.
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Mr. Walters will only authorise student absence from school for certain educational activities or to attend other schools or settings.
Absence will only be approved for a student during term time if the request meets the specific circumstances set out in the 2024 School Attendance Regulations. These circumstances are:
Taking part in a regulated performance, or regulated employment abroad
Attending an interview
Study Leave
A temporary, time-limited part-time timetable
Service Children – in line with the armed forces covenant where family leave is restricted and written request is supported by a senior officer.
Any request for absence should be submitted two weeks in advance where appropriate via attendanceba@universityofkentacademiestrust.org.uk marking it for the attention of Mr Walters.
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