Attendance at Leeds East Academy

Everyone Exceptional

Attendance is the keystone to each and every student being exceptional at Leeds East Academy. Students who demonstrate resilience in attendance benefit from better results and are also rewarded with unique opportunities

At Leeds East Academy we believe the home-Academy partnership is essential and will help our learners to achieve and succeed.

Research going back many years has consistently told us, not surprisingly, that parents are the most important people in their children’s lives, and that support for their children’s learning and development is crucial.

Let’s work together and ensure our young people achieve and succeed.

Every Day Counts
Your child’s Attendance target is 97% +

Leeds East Academy Attendance Team

The relevant attendance officer will support your child to ensure they are meeting the academy expectation of 97% and they will work together, with your support, to achieve the best possible outcome. 

If you have any concerns or updates regarding your child’s attendance please contact the academy on 0113 273 1964 (option 1). 

The importance of good attendance

There is an expectation that all parents inform the academy of absence; any absence unexplained will be followed up with a home visit.

Regular attendance at school is vital to help your child achieve and get the best possible start in life. There are 30 days in a 6-week half term. If your child has 1 and a half days off school, their attendance will be 95%. Good attendance is central to students’ academic achievement and personal development.

Attendance Incentives

Maintaining an 100% attendance is an expectational achievement and one that we are celebrate and reward. Students who achieve 100% attendance will be given a place in the Elite 100% attendance club. As part of your membership to the club you are entitled to a range of different rewards including celebration activities, golden ticket reward trips and pop up events throughout the year.

A 100% attendance pin badge will be presented to students when they are entered into club. It is expected that this badge is worn at all times to access all rewards; including queue jump in the canteen, access to the games room and prize draws.

Students that are member of the 100% attendance club in September are those that secured 100% attendance during the whole of the previous academic year and all of our new year 7 cohort. After October half term we will welcome additional students to the club who achieved 100% attendance during half term 1, we will welcome additional students on a termly basis. This will be reviewed weekly by the attendance team and students who’s attendance drops below 100% will hand their badge back to school.

We reward students who maintain a 100% attendance with fantastic rewards on site.

Last year we had:

Ice Rink (including a snow machine):

£100 prize draws:

Summer Fair (with lots of inflatables):

Parental Responsibilities

In order to facilitate this process, parents with children at Leeds East Academy are expected to:

• inform school by telephone 0113 273 1964 option 1 on the first morning of any absence before 9.30am
• provide a note to cover the absence on the child’s return to school
• ensure that their child gets to school on time
• ensure that their child gets to school on time, where they are are late support the acacdemy's actions in issuing a same day after school 30mins detention.
• not take family holidays during term time (see further guidance below)
• Only the Principal may authorise such absences. Absences without permission from school will be registered as unauthorised (equivalent to truancy).

We understand that maintaining high attendance is the key to success however, there may be times when absence is unavoidable. In these situations, where possible, we request that you complete an 'Exceptional Circumstances Form' from the attendance office  prior to the absence. Parents should complete the forms and return them to the attendance office for the Principal to authorise. We will notify you of the decision so you are informed if the absence is authorised or unauthorised. These absences will still affect absence % however your child will still be able to part of our exciting rewards system.“ 

Exceptional Circumstances’ include:

• Representative event (for example sport, music or school)
• Religious observance
• Family bereavement (immediate family)
• Employer/further education/school interview
• Specialised medical appointments for students who are undergoing specialised care outlined in care plans or those with a diagnosed medical condition.

Any other ‘exceptional circumstances’ will be at the discretion of the Principal and a student’s attendance record will be taken into account when deciding whether or not to grant permission for absence.

‘Exceptional Circumstances’ DO NOT include:

• looking after siblings
• general doctor/practitioner appointments,
• birthdays
• shopping for uniform.

The Legal Framework 

Under The Education Act 1999, parents are responsible for ensuring that children of compulsory school age receive full-time education. Parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child’s regular attendance at the school where they are registered.

If a child of compulsory school age who is registered at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, the parent is guilty of an offence under this Act.

Aims

At LEA we firmly believe that all students benefit from regular school attendance. The aim of this guidance is to minimise the amount of time lost due to absence in order to maximise the educational potential of every student. This can be achieved with the support of parents by ensuring absence, including holidays, is not taken during term time unless there are ‘exceptional circumstances’*.

At LEA, in order for an attendance record to be deemed good, it must be 97% or above.