Attendance is a key priority for us at TWOA. Whilst we recognise that due to the needs of our pupils, their absence rates will sometimes be higher than their mainstream peers, we always aim for 100% for all pupils whenever possible. We work closely with families and other professionals to help remove any barriers to this goal.
Absenteeism is closely monitored and patterns of absence are followed up by our senior staff who work with families and external agencies to resolve any reason for needless absence.
Some of our pupils require part-time time-tables due to their complex medical conditions. These are specially arranged and must be supported by their pediatrician.
Some pupils may be absent for a period due to an extended stay in hospital or following an operation. During this time, once the pupil is well enough to do so, they are expected to engage in distance-learning. Bespoke packages are arranged between pastoral teachers and the family but will typically comprise of a minimum of one remote learning session a day with their class and learning packs for them to complete with families.
Since September 2013, schools have only been able to grant holidays during term-time in ‘exceptional’ circumstances and always at the discretion of the principal.
Whilst we would always advocate that holidays are taken during the designated holiday dates we know that some of our pupils can only cope during quieter periods. Limited availability for accessible accommodation or frequent hospital stays may also restrict dates when holidays can be taken. We therefore always assess any term-time holiday requests on a case-by-case basis and will consider applications carefully. In all instances, regardless of the length of the holiday – whether for a single day or longer, you will be required to seek permission from the principal. You can download a holiday form from our this website from our forms page or request one from the school office or your child’s pastoral teacher.
Parents are requested to notify the academy if their child is going to be absent due to illness or appointments. There are two ways to do this:
Email: [email protected]
Phone the school office: 01473 476600
Please copy in your child’s pastoral teacher if emailing.
Please contact the school by 9:00. The office is staffed from 8:30am onwards but prior to this you can leave a message, detailing the reasons for absence.
Taxi drivers often helpfully inform academy staff that a pupil is absent but you must also call or email yourself.
If a child does not come to school and we have not been informed of the reason, the academy will call that morning and log details of the reason given for the absence. The academy will contact emergency contact numbers if primary contacts cannot be reached. This monitoring is part of our child protection and safeguarding procedures.
Although we actively encourage good punctuality at TWOA, we recognise that, as the majority of our pupils arrive by transport under LEA contract, families have limited control over their punctuality. That said, punctuality is very good especially considering that many pupils need to rise very early in order to catch the school transport.
For families bringing pupils into school themselves, unless a bespoke arrangement has been made, all pupils are expected to have arrived by 9:00 and cannot be collected until 3:15.
If you have further questions around absence and attendance please contact their Head of Department or the Academy Lead for attendance – [email protected] Contact details are below:
Blackbirds, Nightingales, Swifts, Goldfinches Classes
Sandpipers, Lapwings, Avocets, Redshanks Classes
Buzzards, Ospreys, Merlins, Falcons Classes
For further information about attendance please see our Attendance policy on our safeguarding policies and legislation page.