Attendance

Improving attendance is everyone’s business. The Drapers’ Academy prides itself on a proactive approach to attendance, where all teachers and appropriate support staff have a part to play in ensuring excellent attendance and therefore outstanding outcomes for pupils.  

Pupils need to attend the academy regularly to benefit from their education. Missing out on lessons leaves children vulnerable to falling behind. Moreover, children with poor attendance tend to achieve less in both primary and secondary school as well as struggling to socialise and make friends. 

The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to have an effective, full time education.  Staff at the Drapers’ Academy use this statement as the driving force behind our attendance process.  We want to ensure pupils have as many opportunities as possible to be successful.  Pupils need to attend regularly to make the most of the opportunities presented to them. 

The designated senior leader responsible for attendance: Mr J Shields (Vice Principal) 

Attendance team: Mrs Mackay (Home School Attendance Officer), Mrs Moore (Attendance Officer), Mrs Shah (Safeguarding and Inclusions Officer) 

Other pastoral staff who support attendance: Mrs Brooks, Mrs Williams, Mrs Knight, Miss Turner, Mrs Harper (Pastoral Managers) 

Year Achievement Leaders: Mr Roberts, Mr Oldfield, Mr Batt, Miss Dyson, Miss Kelly, Mr Agamemnonos 

Attendance Basics 

First day phone calls: You have a legal obligation to inform the school if your son/daughter is not attending.  Every absence must be recorded on a daily basis by 8.35am. The only exception to this is if you have applied for a leave of absence and we aware in advance of your son or daughter is not attending. 

Registering Absence: Please register absence in one of these two ways: 

• EduLink App

• Leaving a message on the absence line 

No other way of recording an absence is permitted, please do not email the administrative team or your son/daughter’s pastoral manager. 

Medical appointments: Please provide medical evidence of appointments in advance of the planned absence.  Please make sure, where appropriate, your son/daughter is  not absent from school for the whole day.  Please, where ever possible book appointments after school hours or in school holidays. 

Leave of absence requests: Please note that the majority of leave of absence requests will not be accepted.  For any leave of absence, please complete the form attached.  Holidays in term time are highly unlikely to be authorised and are subject to penalty notice procedures. 

Attendance : Parent / Carer Guide Policies and Important Documents (Attendance Policy) The School Day (timings)Request for Leave form (download)