Updated attendance information for parents/guardians

Strood Academy Letter image

See below for updated attendance information and guidance

Medical evidence requirements- For any students who have an absence due to illness, we require medical evidence. For any instance where medical evidence is not provided, absences will be unauthorised. Medical evidence can include a doctor’s letter, prescription form,
appointment text message screenshot, parking ticket at a hospital etc.

Notice to improve- A ‘Notice to Improve’ is a new tier of intervention and a final opportunity for a parent to engage in support provided by the academy and improve their child’s attendance, before a penalty notice is issued.

Penalty notices- A penalty notice can be issued when 10 sessions of unauthorised absence occur in a rolling period of 10 school weeks (previously 6 weeks). The period of 10 school weeks can also span different terms or school years.

  • The first penalty notice- £160 if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 (previously £120 to £60) if paid within 21 days.
  • A second penalty notice- charged at a flat rate of £160 if paid within 28 days.
  • A third penalty notice cannot be issued within 3 years of the date of issue of the first. At this point legal intervention, including prosecution will be introduced.
We thank you for your support in ensuring that your child’s has above 97% attendance.
See our attendance policy on the academy website for further information about attendance. Please also email attendance@stroodacademy.org for any attendance related queries.