Attendance

Attendance & Requests for Absence

Daniella Parry (Attendance Officer)
Email: [email protected]

Ormiston Rivers Academy recognises the importance of attendance in enabling students to achieve their maximum educational potential and to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully. An effective system of communication with students and parents/carers supports good attendance and punctuality; an appropriate system of rewards and incentives recognises the effort students make in achieving this. Ormiston Rivers Academy is committed to working in partnership with families and other agencies in order to achieve the best outcomes for its students.

If your child is going to be absent, you must advise the Academy on EACH day of absence by contacting the school via the following methods:

  • MyEd Messaging App.
  • ConnectED absence line on: 0845 355 8104
  • Attendance line on: 01621 787855​

Parents and carers are asked to explain absences. The Academy will decide whether the absence is acceptable/ authorised or unauthorised. Please use the following information, adapted using guidance from the NHS with specific regards to illnesses and whether children can still attend school:

If your child is ill, it’s likely to be due to one of a few minor health conditions. Whether you send your child to school will depend on how severe you think the illness is. This guidance can help you make that judgement. Not every illness needs to keep your child from school. If you keep your child away from school, be sure to inform the school on the first day of their absence. Use common sense when deciding whether or not your child is too ill to attend school. Remember: if you’re concerned about your child’s health, consult a health professional.

A child with a minor cough or cold may attend school. If the cold is accompanied by a raised temperature, shivers or drowsiness, the child should stay off school and visit the GP. If your child has a more severe and long-lasting cough, consult your GP. They can give guidance on whether the child should stay off school. The School will not normally authorise an absence for coughs and colds without medical evidence.

If your child has a raised temperature, they shouldn’t attend school.​

Rashes can be the first sign of many infectious illnesses, such as chickenpox and measles. Children with these conditions shouldn’t attend school. If your child has a rash, check with your GP or practice nurse before sending them to school.

A child with a minor headache doesn’t usually need to be kept off school. If the headache is more severe or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as raised temperature or drowsiness, then keep the child off school and consult your GP The School will not normally authorise an absence for Headaches without medical evidence.

Children with these conditions should be kept off school. They can return 24 hours after their symptoms disappear. Most cases of vomiting or diarrhoea get better without treatment. If symptoms persist, consult your GP.

A sore throat alone doesn’t have to keep a child from school. The School will not normally authorise an absence for sore throat without medical evidence.

Your child can only receive authorised absence if:

  • He/she is too unwell to attend school – as per the NHS guidelines. Medical evidence may be required in certain circumstances.
  • It is a special day for religious observance.
  • If a student needs urgent medical or dental treatment; you must provide evidence of an appointment card. Please try to arrange check-up appointments after school hours or during holiday periods.

Everyone should aim for 100% attendance. As an ideal, a minimum of 95% should be your attendance goal.

Statistics show that poor attendance affects academic achievement.

90% = 3 weeks and 4 days of learning missed
85% = 5 weeks and 3 days of learning missed
80% = 7 weeks and 3 days of learning missed
(These statistics apply to a full academic year)

Emergency Closure

In the event of emergency closure due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, a notification will be placed on the Academy website by 7.00 a.m. on the day of closure.

If no notification is given, the Academy will be open as usual.

In the event of emergency closure during the course of the school day due to unforeseen circumstances, parents/carers will be notified by text message and arrangements will be made for students to leave the premises.

All students will be kept on the school site until arrangements have been made for their safe collection or transport home.

Application form for Term Time absence

Can be downloaded by clicking the document below and should be emailed to  [email protected]  or handed into reception or student services.

Files