Attendance

As stated in ACC Guidance on Managing and Promoting Pupil Attendance, “regular punctual attendance will establish good habits that will support children and young people throughout their lives and help them reach their potential. As an authority, we aspire for 100% attendance” for all our young people.  In addition, Section 30 of the 1980 Education Act lays a duty on every parent of a school age child to ensure that their child attends school regularly. It is therefore important that parents/guardians work with the school to promote the importance of interrupted attendance and punctuality at every stage of a child’s education. 

Attendance must be recorded twice a day, morning and afternoon, although as a school we monitor pupils’ attendance during every period and will notify home of any discrepancies.

Absences are recorded as authorised when the parent has informed the school of a valid reason. Parents and carers are expected to inform the school on the first day of a pupil’s absence and continue to keep the school up to date on the progress of the child’s illness should it be longer term.

Unexplained absences are recorded as unauthorised until a reason is provided.  If your child is ill, or if you think that it is necessary for your child to be absent from school for any other reason, please contact the school with the details as soon as possible. 

Every effort should be made to avoid taking family holidays during term time as this both disrupts the child’s education and reduces learning time. Except in very exceptional circumstances family holidays taken out with the normal school holiday period will be classified as unauthorised absence. Please be aware as well that class work will not be provided to pupils who go on holiday during term time. 

Pupils attendance is monitored regularly. A promoted member of staff will contact parents if a pupils’ attendance gives cause for concern (normally below 90%). If attendance continues to be concerning, which means if no significant increase in attendance takes place over a period of time, an attendance procedure will be triggered. 

Reporting an absence

To report an absence, please either email: hazleheadacademy@aberdeencity.gov.uk or call 01224 310184. Please give the pupil’s full name, registration class and reason for absence.

• Absence should be explained in advance where possible, e.g. to attend a medical appointment.

• Where a young person is required to leave school during the day, parents/carers must indicate the time they will be collected and the time they are due to return (if applicable).

• When a pupil is marked absent and no advance notification has been received, parents/carers will be contacted by Groupcall.