At Marden Primary Academy, we have high expectations for the attendance of our pupils. This is because we recognise that all absence is potentially detrimental to a child’s education. Missing school can damage children’s achievements, disrupt the school’s routines and affect other children’s learning. It can also leave children at risk of anti-social behaviour and youth crime. Above all, missing out on the opportunities provided in school can have a long-term effect on children’s chances in life.

In order for young people to gain maximum benefit from their time at school, and to maximise future life opportunities, it is imperative that young people attend every day, all day.

Fortnightly meetings will take place between the Principal, Inclusion Lead and Office Manager to identify those children at risk of persistent absence or other families requiring support in regards to attendance. Where necessary meetings will be held between the Inclusion Lead, Office Manager and parents/carers to identify barriers to attendance and to ensure their engagement with both school and any other external support if needed.

If attendance for these families does not improve, we will involve the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) from Kent County Council who will then join the meetings or will visit families at home.

A further step will then take place if necessary, between the academy, parents and with a Governor Panel, to reinforce the seriousness of persistent absence.

A polite reminder that the school day start at 8:45 and ends at 3:00. The school gates open at 8:30 and we expect all children to be on the school site, ready to learn by 8:45 at the latest. This is being monitored daily. Remember - Every second counts.

Ted's had another wonderful week of learning in Team RM! He has used his interests and experiences to support friends in their play. Ted is demonstrating excellent learning behaviour and he is always ready for a new challenge. Go Ted!

Gabrielle is ALWAYS ready to learn and she is keen to get stuck in to a new challenge. Gabrielle's enthusiasm to learn is infectious and all of her new friends want to join in with her play. We are very proud of you, Gabrielle!

Mrs Smith and I are so proud of Daisy - Grace! She is always ready to be a fantastic friend and help others when they may be feeling sad or are unsure what to do. Daisy - Grace sets a fantastic example to the other children and consistently does the right thing. Well done Daisy - Grace, keep it up!

Alex has worked incredibly hard during learning time this week. He has loved playing with cars and building ramps. He has explored how different heights can affect the speed of cars and how far they travel off the end of the ramp. Well done Alex, we are very impressed with your fantastic learning behaviour!

For being really focussed and trying hard in his writing this week.

For her great efforts and enthusiasm in maths adding one more and taking one away.

Daniel you are always ready to listen and learn, completing tasks to the best of your ability. You have made such a great start to your year 1 journey. Very well done and keep working hard.

I have been so impressed by your caring approach this week. You have been a great learning coach to your class friends and you are always willing to take on new responsibilities. Well done Vera

What a great week you have had Edith! You have constantly worked hard, are always trying your hardest and I love your enthusiasm to join in our class discussions. Keep this up!

You have shown such resilience and hard work this week, and have produced some lovely pieces of work as a result. I especially enjoyed your enthusiasm with our identity work: well done!

Amelia has worked has all week at producing well presented work. Her presentation in maths has been exemplary. Well done Amelia, keep up the great work.

Stanley has shown brilliant research skills this week when looking at the human teeth. He has shown great scientific questioning. Well done Stanley.

Ellie demonstrates very capable inference skills during our reading comprehension sessions, often making links and commenting on things that we had not thought of or noticed. Well done Ellie.

Rosie created a fantastic cartoon strip prediction in the style of our reading comprehension text this week. Well done, Rosie!

Jack has shown consistently good presentation in maths, following our DUMTUMS rules. He always puts 1 digit in each square and crosses out neatly, using a pencil and a ruler. This has meant his work is beautifully presented as he moves through the challenges.

Layla takes pride in her presentation across a range of subjects. She ensures she follows DUMTUMS for her date and title and then sets each question out neatly. Layla applies this level of detail to all her learning. Well done and keep it up.

Daniel has consistently been concentrating and taking part in all lessons. He is always ready to learn and shows great initiative by raising his hand to answer questions and asks for help when in need. He always attempts to solve difficult questions on his own before asking a teacher and that I am proud of. Well done Daniel!

Sahara comes into school everyday with a smile on her face, ready to take on the challenges given. She is ready to give the questions a go no matter how difficult they can be. She is confident in asking for help when she needs to and makes sure that she understands the topic, rather than completing the questions wrong. Well done for your efforts Sahara, keep it up!

Albert has demonstrated an excellent understanding of our maths concepts this week, rising to the challenges we have set him. He has shown a great ability to use his maths knowledge to explain and reason when problem solving.

Freddie is a great communicator and shares his wealth of knowledge and understanding in all areas of the curriculum, particularly in class discussions. He has shown great enthusiasm for our class text, Wonder, and has made links to our reading comprehension text, Pig Heart Boy.