Attendance

Every Day Counts at Nottingham Academy!

We want every child to thrive – and being in school every day is the best way to make that happen. Good attendance means better learning, stronger friendships, and more confidence.

Why Attendance Matters

Children who attend regularly make the most of every learning opportunity.
Even a few missed days can add up and affect progress.

If Your Child Is Absent

Please let us know every day your child is off school.
Call or email the school office as soon as possible – this helps us keep everyone safe.

What Counts as Authorised Absence?

Illness or medical appointments (where unavoidable)
Religious observance
Exceptional circumstances agreed by the Principal
Holidays during term time and minor reasons like “slept in” will not be authorised.

Appointments

Try to book outside school hours.
If that’s not possible, keep time away from school to a minimum and provide evidence.

Arriving on Time

Being on time means a calm start and no missed learning.
Persistent lateness may lead to follow-up from school.

Working Together

If attendance becomes a concern, we’ll contact you to offer support.
We work with families and outside agencies to remove barriers and help children succeed.

Persistent Absence

Missing 10% or more of school is classed as persistent absence.
Continued absence can lead to Local Authority involvement and fines – but our priority is always support first.

Celebrating Good Attendance

We love recognising great attendance with certificates, prizes, and special incentives!

To report an absence

Email attendance@nottinghamacademy.org
Call 0115 7483380 option 1

It is the parents’ responsibility to contact the school on every day that their child is absent.
If the authenticity of the illness is in doubt or the child is a persistent absentee, the school may ask parents to provide medical evidence, such as a doctor’s note, appointment card or other appropriate form of evidence.
If Nottingham Academy is not satisfied with the authenticity of an illness, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and parents will be notified of this.
If Nottingham Academy has not been notified of the reason for absence, the Attendance Officer will make contact by either text or phone call.
Nottingham Academy will make a home visit after three days of not being able to make contact, or sooner if deemed at risk or vulnerable. They may also leave a card to inform the parents that they have made a home visit and require information as to why the child has been absent.

Core Attendance Team:

Attendance Champion (Senior Deputy Principal): Julie Bigwood
Attendance Officer (Years 9, 10 and 11): Karen Winfield
Attendance Officer (Years 7, 8 and 6th form) Michelle Bradshaw

You can keep track on your child's attendance in Arbor.

Guidance on how to do this https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/203856191-Attendance-on-the-Parent-Portal-and-Parent-App

Unavoidable Absence

Absences that are considered unavoidable will be authorised by Nottingham Academy. These include:

Genuine illness unless your child is classed as a Persistent Absentee - please see Is My Child to Ill for school (NHS guidance)
Attending a religious festival or ceremony with family
A medical or dental appointment that could not be made outside of school hours
Being in the hospital or having hospital treatment
Attending a funeral with family
Attending an interview for a job or a place at a college
Taking part in a public performance or an examination

Unauthorised absence

Absences that are considered avoidable will not be authorised by Nottingham Academy. These include:

Trivial illness
Looking after the house or waiting for workmen/deliveries etc
Being on holiday – Penalty Notice may be issued
Looking after brothers or sisters, including dropping them off at school or nursery
Helping with housework or a family business
Being unhappy or not getting on with others at school
Being up late the night before, including for family problems

A student is classed as a Persistent Absentee if attendance falls below 90%. This is equivalent to 19 days of absence in an academic year.

Nottingham Academy will work with students and their parents when attendance starts to become a concern to identify issues and offer support.