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.
In line with national legislation that came into effect in September 2013, and further legislation in August 2024, term-time holidays will no longer be approved.
The legislation acknowledges that there will, occasionally, be exceptional circumstances where term-time absence can be approved under the Head’s discretion. We will therefore continue to approve one-off special or exceptional events. Examples include: a ‘Make-A-Wish’ experience, a family funeral, mascot representation at a charity event etc.
We do acknowledge that there are additional challenges for our families taking holidays during the busy school holiday period, however family holidays taken during term-time, will not be classed as ‘exceptional circumstances’ and will not be approved.
We have a legal duty to know where our children are at all times if they are not in school during term-time. If you are aware that your child will need to be absent from school for a particular reason during term-time, it is essential that you inform the school. Usually this will be due to sickness or a medical appointment. (Please see our below for what to do if this is the case). For all other reasons (with the exception of personalised time-tables), please complete the term-time request form on the forms page of this website prior to the absence. This can be completed electronically and emailed to [email protected] or [email protected]. Alternatively, you can request a hard copy from the school office or your child’s pastoral teacher and return it to school this way.
Parents / carers are requested to notify the academy if their child is going to be absent due to illness or last minute medial 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, Falcons Classes
Buzzards, Ospreys, Merlins, Redshanks Classes
For further information about attendance please see our Attendance policy on our policies page.