Attendance

Attendance

At The Eastwood Academy, our priority is to ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Consistent attendance plays a vital role in this success. We have high expectations for all pupils, with the aim of achieving 100% attendance.

Every day in school counts.

Why is attendance so important?

Research shows that pupils who attend school regularly are more likely to:

1. Achieve their full academic potential.
   Pupils with attendance above 95% are twice as likely to achieve a grade 5 or higher in English and Maths compared to those attending only 90% of the time.

2. Keep up with their learning.
   Regular attendance ensures lessons build on each other, making new topics easier to understand.

3. Stay motivated and engaged.
   Consistency in school helps pupils develop positive learning habits.

4. Build stronger friendships.
   Regular interaction with their peers supports social development and mental wellbeing.

5. Take part in wider opportunities.
   From sports teams and school productions to trips and clubs, consistent attendance makes it easier to get involved.

Most importantly, your child will feel more connected, confident, and able to enjoy being part of the school community.

What does a pupil's attendance percentage mean?

The table below shows how a pupil’s attendance directly relates to the amount of time missed in school - and highlights the significant impact this has on the number of lessons lost.

My child is struggling with their attendance. What support can I get?

We understand that some pupils may face challenges with attendance, and we are here to support them fully. If there are personal circumstances—such as a bereavement—that might affect your child’s attendance or behaviour, or if you feel they would benefit from extra support, please let us know.

The first point of contact is always your child’s form tutor.

Key information about attendance for this Academic year 25/26

The Eastwood Academy kindly request that all parents familiarise themselves with the attendance details below for issues relating to attendance.

For attendance monitoring, pupils are registered for 2 sessions each day. The AM session run from 8:35 to 8:50 and the PM session runs in period 4 from 11:55 to 12:50. Pupils who are not present at these times will receive absence marks.

Parents will be able to monitor their child’s attendance and punctuality on Edulink at any time.

Reporting Pupil Absences

Absences must be reported on the first day and on each subsequent day of absence.

Attendance should be reported via the Edulink app.

To report using Edulink once logged in, simply follow the steps below:-

1) Select Absence Reporting

2) Select date(s) absent

3) Add reason for absence (you can attach copies of appointments if you wish)

4) Press Send

In emergency circumstances, parents may contact 01702 524341 on the morning of the absence.

Advance Notice of Medical or Dental Appointments

Appointments should, whenever possible, be made outside of school hours.

If this is not possible, please notify the Attendance Support Officer, Mrs Cassidy (gcassidy@eastwood.southend.sch.uk), providing evidence. This can be provided in the form of an appointment letter copy or a screenshot of a text reminder from the dentist or hospital.

Term time holidays

Please ensure holidays are not taken during term time.

The current law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time. The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 prohibits a Headteacher granting leave of absence to a pupil, except where an application has been made in advance, and the Headteacher considers that there are ‘exceptional circumstances’ relating to the application.  

Please note that if the absence is not authorised, and the holiday is taken, the case will be referred to the Child and Family Early Intervention Team who may issue a Penalty Notice of £160 (or £80 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.

Pupil Role

The Academy expects pupils to attend regularly (100% attendance) and punctually (arriving before 8.35 a.m.).

The front side access gate is locked at 8.35 a.m. From this point pupils are classified as ‘late’ and can only enter via Reception. In instances where a pupil arrives late to school, Reception staff issue a cross in their Planner. When a pupil accrues three crosses in one term, they are issued with a 1-hour afterschool detention. In respect to the third cross, and every additional cross, the pupil will be issued with a 1-hour afterschool detention on the day that they arrived late to school. 

Any pupil arriving after 9:30am will automatically receive a same day 1 -hour after school detention regardless of the number of crossings they have received.

Unauthorised Absences

‘Unauthorised absences’ are those which the Academy does not consider reasonable and for which no ‘leave’ has been given. Although not an exhaustive list, such examples include:

• Parents keeping children off school unnecessarily.

• Truancy during the school day.

• Absences which have never been properly explained e.g. a message from another parent or child cannot be used to authorise absence.

• Children who arrive late to school.

• Term time holidays.

• Absence which is not supported by medical evidence when requested by the Academy.

Please be aware that all absence under 90%, which is not accompanied by medical evidence, will be classed as ‘unauthorised’. Pupils falling into this category of attendance will be immediately investigated by the Local Authority Attendance Officer and, if necessary, taken to court and fined.

Please note that unauthorised absences will influence whether pupils are eligible to attend Academy trips. In short, if a pupil’s attendance falls below the Academy’s target (and is not supported by medical evidence) they will not be eligible to attend Academy trips (excluding those required by the curriculum).

Legal Sanctions

Under existing legislation, parents commit an offence if their child fails to attend regularly, and the absences are classed as ‘unauthorised’ (those for which the Academy cannot or has not given permission). Depending on circumstances, such cases may result in prosecution.

A Penalty Notice is an alternative to prosecution which does not require an appearance in court, whilst still securing an improvement in a pupil’s attendance. Payment of a Penalty Notice enables parents to discharge potential liability for conviction for the period of absence included in the Penalty Notice.

Penalty Notices are issued for:

• Unauthorised absence.

• Holidays in term time without permission.

• Excluded pupils found in a public place during the first 5 days of exclusion.

Penalty Notices start at £80 per child, increasing to £160 if not paid within 21 days.

If a second notice is issued within a three year period, the fine increases to £160.

Prosecution for a third offence may lead to prosecution and being summoned to appear at 

the Magistrates Court, with fines up to £1,000 per person.
 

Managing Attendance Concerns

The Academy manages attendance concerns in a graded way as detailed below.

Attendance Commendations

The Academy has a comprehensive rewards programme to encourage excellent attendance. Attendance commendations will broadly involve the following:

• Weekly prize draws for pupils achieving 100% attendance

• Termly prize draws for pupils achieving above 98% attendance

• Special breakfast treats for tutor groups with outstanding attendance

• Star (badge) system – Bronze (1 year), Silver (2 years), Gold (3 years) and Iridescent (4 years) for 100% attendance during an academic year.

• End of year special lunches and film afternoons

Children Missing Education (CME)

Refer to section 1.12 of the academy attendance policy. 

Academy Attendance Policy 2025