Attendance

Kings Academy Attendance 

At Kings Academy, we are committed to providing high-quality, inclusive learning opportunities for every student. We believe that excellent attendance is essential for academic achievement, personal growth, and preparation for life beyond school. 

We expect and encourage all students to aim for an attendance rate of 96% or above. Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting this, and we are dedicated to building strong home–school partnerships to ensure students attend regularly and punctually. 

Why Good Attendance Matters 

Regular attendance at school helps students to: 

  • Achieve academically – students who attend consistently are more likely to stay on track with their studies and achieve strong results 
  • Develop social skills – being in school daily builds friendships and strengthens communication skills 
  • Build routine and structure – consistent attendance supports wellbeing and prepares students for the demands of further education, training, or employment 

Our Approach to Attendance 

In line with Department for Education guidance on Working Together to Improve School Attendance, Kings Academy is committed to: 

  • Positive Reinforcement – celebrating and rewarding excellent attendance through recognition and rewards 
  • Early Support – identifying attendance concerns quickly and working with families to address issues before they escalate 
  • Strong Partnerships – collaborating with parents, carers, and the Education Engagement Service to overcome barriers to attendance 
  • Tailored Support – offering individual guidance, mentoring, or referrals were specific challenges impact attendance. 

Together, we can ensure every student has the best chance of success. 

Our Expectations: 

  • Students must be on site by 8:40am and in their tutor room by 8:45am 
  • Arrivals after 9:05am will be marked with an unauthorised late code (U). This affects overall attendance and may trigger further action 
  • Students arriving late must report to the Main Office to sign in 
  • Unauthorised lateness will result in sanctions. Persistent lateness will lead to further interventions 

The Impact of Absence and Punctuality 

Even a small amount of absence adds up quickly: 

  • 95% attendance = 10 days of learning missed per year 
  • 90% attendance = 19 days missed (almost 4 weeks) 
  • 85% attendance = 29 days missed (almost 6 weeks) 
  • 80% attendance = 38 days missed (over 7 weeks) 

The Department for Education defines students with attendance below 90% as persistently absent. This level of absence has a serious impact on academic progress and wellbeing. 

Punctuality is a vital part of attendance. Each day provides five hours of valuable learning, and lateness reduces this significantly. 

  • Being 15 minutes late each day = two full weeks of learning lost per year 

How Parents and Carers Can Help 

  • Encourage punctuality and daily attendance 
  • Contact the school promptly to report absence 
  • Establish a consistent routine at home that prioritises education 
  • Stay engaged in your child’s progress through parent evenings and communication with staff 

Reporting Absence 

If your child is unwell and unable to attend, then it must be reported to the Academy via the My Child at School parent app, or by emailing absence@kowessex.co.uk on each day of absence.   

When reporting an absence, please clearly state your child’s full name, tutor group, and the reason for absence. 

If we do not receive a message, you will be contacted by the school to confirm your child’s whereabouts. 

If you feel you need further support with attendance, please contact your child’s tutor in the first instance via the office office@kowessex.co.uk 

We understand that medical and dental appointments are sometimes unavoidable. Whenever possible, we kindly ask that these be scheduled outside school hours. If this isn’t an option, we’d appreciate it if appointments could be arranged in a way that minimises disruption to the school day.Shape 

Working Together for Success 

Every school day matters. By working in partnership with families, Kings Academy is determined to ensure every student can succeed academically, socially, and personally.  

The DfE document Working Together to Improve School Attendance can be viewed here Working together to improve school attendance – GOV.UK.  

Thank you for your continued support in making every school day count.