Attendance

Regular School Attendance

Good attendance shows colleges and future potential employers that your child is reliable.

Solihull Academy records details of all children’s attendance and absence from school. We do so at the beginning of morning and afternoon sessions. If your child is absent, you must inform the school immediately.

The school will record the absence and the Local Authority will receive this information for each child. The Department of Education also receives annual attendance data for the school.

At Solihull Academy we expect students to attend school regularly and arrive ton school punctually. All students are supported to develop and maintain good habits that support regular school attendance and punctuality.

We ask parents/carers to work in partnership with us to ensure your child achieves an excellent attendance and punctuality record.

Reporting Absence

If your child is ill and unable to attend school, please telephone the relevant provision by 9.00 a.m.   

Solihull Academy: Jeremy Brown (Attendance officer) - 0121 709 5420

Saturn Centre: Carly Costa (Attendance Officer) -  0121 709 5420 extension 3

Apollo: Sarah Lay (Admin Officer/Receptionist) - 0121 709 5420 extension 4

If we do not hear from parents/carers we will assume your child will be attending. If your child does not arrive and we have not heard from you, we will contact parents/carers in line with our first day absence process. 

If we are unable to reach you to understand the reason for your child’s absence, we may need to classify them as ‘missing from education.’ In such cases, a member of our school staff and/or our link Police Officer may visit your home to ensure the safety and wellbeing of you and your child.

If there is no plausible reason for your child being absent from school, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Reasonable requests for absence may be considered if there is deemed to be exceptional circumstances.  We will not however authorise absences for:

• Holidays
• Minding the home
• Visiting relatives
• Long weekends
• Shopping trips
• Birthdays
• To look after brothers or sisters

The Academy has the final decision to authorise absences, not the parent/carer, so we need to be fully informed of any absences.

Attendance Policy & Useful Information

Attendance Information for Solihull Academy

Letter to Parents Regarding AttendanceAttendance Policy SAPMAT 24-25

Your responsibilities as a parent

By law, all children of compulsory school age must receive a suitable full-time education. For most parents, this means registering their child at a school. Although some parents choose to make other arrangements to provide a suitable, full-time education.

Once your child is registered at a Solihull Academy, the parent is legally responsible for making sure they attend on a regular basis.  If your child does not attend school on a regular basis, you could be subject to a fine or be prosecuted in court.

How to prevent your child from missing school

You can help prevent your child missing school by:

• Making sure they understand the importance of good attendance and punctuality.
• taking an interest in their education, ask about schoolwork and encourage them to get involved in school activities.
• Discussing any problems they may have at school and letting their teacher or principal know about anything serious.
• Not letting children take time off school for minor ailments, particularly those which would not prevent you from going to work. 

To avoid disrupting your child’s education, you should arrange appointments and outings:

• After school hours
• At weekends
• During school holidays

You should not expect Solihull Academy to agree to your child going on holiday during term time. 

Support on school attendance

A child’s school attendance can be affected if there are problems with:

• Bullying
• Housing or care arrangements
• Transport to and from school
• Work and money

If your child starts missing school, you might not know there is a problem.  If there is a problem, please approach their Head of Year or the school attendance team.

Solihull Academy's approach to supporting and improving school attendance

The Strategic Approach

Solihull Alternative Provision Multi Academy Trust is proudly recognised as an Inclusive Attendance Trust. Our unwavering commitment to attendance centres around child-centric actions, evidence-informed practices, and a shared understanding of everyone's roles and collective responsibilities to promote exceptional attendance.

Inclusive Attendance Professional Development Model

Our attendance approach is fundamentally guided by the Inclusive Attendance professional development model. Comprising six tailored Learning Modules, this model empowers us to deepen our understanding by facilitating continuous professional learning for all staff. Within this model, the four domains of practice ensure the provision of professional learning, professional development, evidence-based practices, and exemplary leadership and management to seamlessly integrate theory into practice.

 Annual Inclusive Attendance 7-Month Development Programme

Year after year, we review and further enhance our attendance practices through dedicated participation in the Inclusive Attendance 7-month development programme. This investment allows us to remain at the forefront of educational change and extends unparalleled support to our children and their families, equipping them with access to the finest possible assistance.

Multi-Tiered System of Support

To guarantee a comprehensive approach to attendance, we implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support. A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for school attendance involves three tiers of intervention, with roles for teachers, the school, children, parents, and external agencies – including the Local Authority.  Data-driven decision-making and training requirements are pivotal to the implementation of the system.  The system aligns with the Department for Education's (DFE) "Working Together to Improve School Attendance" guidelines. 

 Recognition-Based Approach

Our attendance philosophy is rooted in a recognition-based approach that recognises both personal and collective achievements. This approach serves to thwart isolation, prevent victimisation, cultivate positive environments, nurture relationships, foster inclusivity, and ultimately cultivate intrinsic motivation among our pupils, families, and staff.

 The Importance of School Attendance

School attendance is not merely a requirement but a fundamental pillar of education. It plays a pivotal role in shaping academic success, personal growth, and future prospects, making it an indispensable aspect of any educational system.  Regular school attendance will support -

• - Academic Achievement: Regular attendance directly correlates with academic success. Pupils who attend school consistently are more likely to keep up with the curriculum, perform better in exams, and improve their life outcomes.
• - Knowledge Acquisition: School is where children acquire knowledge and skills that are crucial for their personal and professional growth. Missing days means missing out on valuable learning opportunities.
• - Social Development: School provides a vital social environment for children and adolescents to interact with peers, develop friendships, and learn essential social skills. Consistent attendance ensures children remain connected to their peer group.
• - Building Routine: School attendance establishes a structured routine in children’s lives, teaching them time management and responsibility, which are valuable life skills.
• - Teacher Interaction: Regular attendance allows for meaningful teacher-child interactions. Teachers can provide personalised support, address questions, and assess individual progress more effectively when children attend regularly.
• - Preventing Knowledge Gaps: Frequent absences can lead to significant knowledge gaps, making it challenging for children to catch up with missed lessons, potentially resulting in long-term academic struggles.
• - School Engagement: Children who attend school regularly are more likely to engage in extracurricular activities, sports, and other enriching experiences that contribute to their overall development.
• - Legal and Parental Responsibility: Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring their child's regular school attendance. Failing to do so can lead to legal consequences.
• - Community Well-being: High levels of school attendance contribute to the overall well-being of communities.