Dear Parents/Carers,
At Strood Academy we believe in the potential of our pupils and focus relentlessly on high aspirations and high achievement, eliminating any barriers to learning. We recognise that excellent punctuality and attendance at school is important to allow all our young people to achieve their maximum potential by taking full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Not only are we preparing pupils for their forthcoming future exams and careers but for the world of life and work.
Strood Academy like future employers take a firm stance when it comes to persistent lateness. When a pupil arrives late, they miss out on essential instructions given at the beginning of the lesson/school day. This reduces their chances of academic success.
- 5 minutes late per day – equivalent of missing 3.4 school days a year
- 10 minutes late per day – equivalent of missing 6.9 school days a year
- 15 minutes late per day – equivalent of missing 10.3 school days a year
- 20 minutes late per day – equivalent of missing 13.8 school days a year
- 30 minutes late per day – equivalent of missing 20.7 school days a year
As a parent/carer it is your responsibility to ensure your child arrives at school on time. Pupils should arrive at the Academy no later than 8.30am and go straight to line-up, where they will be registered by their form tutor. The main Academy gate is closed at 8.30am, any pupil who arrives after this time but before 9am will be directed towards the late room, where they will be registered and remain until the start of Period 2. Pupils will be recorded as late and a same day 30 minute detention will be issued.
Morning registration closes at 9am, therefore if your child arrives after 9am they will be issued with a 60 minute same day detention and their morning mark will go down as a U code, which means unauthorised absence. If 10 unauthorised absences occur then your child will be deemed as a ‘Persistent Absentee’ and the Academy will under statutory legislation make a referral to the Attendance Advisory Service to Schools and Academies (AASSA) and further action will be taken if your child’s attendance/punctuality does not improve.
If your child is late to a lesson, they will also receive a same day 30 minute detention for one incident of lateness and a 60 minute detention for more than 1 late lesson per day.
For those pupils who continue to display poor punctuality the Academy will contact you to discuss this matter further and issue any support which may be needed. If there are extenuating circumstances for your child’s lateness; for example car breakdown or urgent family issues please inform attendance on 01634 717121 or email attendance@stroodacademy.org
We thank you for your ongoing support of the Academy.
Yours faithfully,
Miss J Lindsay
Vice Principal
Victory College
