Behaviour & Attendance

Durham Academy  recognises the vital role good attendance plays in a student’s school life and academic achievement. We expect all students to attend school regularly and punctually in order to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. The continuity of regular attendance will enable a student to progress in a structured and progressive manner and to achieve their individual goals.

The school day begins at 8.30am and finishes at 2.30pm on Monday and Friday. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday school begins at 8.30am and finishes at 3.30pm. For a more detailed breakdown of the school day see the School Day page of our website.

Punctuality is vitally important if students are to succeed. Punctual students are happier and more successful in their education. They are laying the foundations for success and happiness in the future. Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that their children arrive in school every day and on time. Students should not attend before 8.15am as this is when staff will be on duty.

We understand that, on occasions, there may be unavoidable reasons for your son’s/daughter’s absence. You should notify the school by 8.30am on each day of your son’s/daughter’s absence. You can leave a message regarding absence by telephoning the main school number 0191 3730336. Contact should be made to school each morning of absence by 8.30am by telephone. 

A detailed reason for your child’s absence is required. It is not sufficient to simply state that a child is “unwell” and any absence for which a detailed reason is not provided will be marked as unauthorised. Please note that when a student is genuinely unable to attend school we want to work in partnership with our parents/carers to help support. We rely on parents/carers to provide a legitimate reason and where appropriate, medical evidence in relation to the absence so that  school can then decide if the absence will be authorised or not. Please note that The High Court has confirmed that it is school and not parents who decide whether an absence can be authorised or not. In the event that your son’s/daughter’s absence is likely to be prolonged please contact the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) either by telephoning the main school reception on 0191 3760336 or by emailing contact@durhamacademy.org.uk

Durham Academy works in conjunction with the Local Authority’s Attendance Improvement Team to support students to achieve good attendance. Durham Academy has a minimum target of 96% attendance for every student, anything below this will be closely monitored.

Persistent Absence

Persistent absence is when a student has an absence rate of 10% or above and therefore an overall attendance of 90% or below, regardless of the reason. When persistent absence occurs and Parents/Carers have failed in their duty to ensure their child’s regular attendance at school due to unauthorised absence, they are guilty of an offence under S444 of the Education Act 1996. 

Schools have a responsibility to inform parents/carers if their child falls into the category of Persistent Absenteeism. Irregular school attendance may have a serious impact on your son’s/daughter’s academic progress and you as parent/carer are legally responsible to ensure that his/her regular and punctual attendance is maintained.

Requesting Leave of Absence

Amendments to the 2006 school attendance regulations came into force on 1 September 2013. The amendments make it clear that a Headteacher may not grant any leave of absence during term-time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Requests for leave of absence should be made in writing to the Headteacher at least one month in advance. Children who are taken out of school during term time often never catch up on work they have missed. This affects test results and can be particularly harmful if your son/daughter is studying for examinations. Some children also find it very hard to renew or keep up friendships with their classmates.

Further information and guidance regarding requests for leave of absence during term time is available from Durham County Council.

Our Attendance Policy can be found here

Holidays in Term Time

In July 2012, Charlie Taylor (the Government’s expert advisor on behaviour at the time) was asked by Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Education at the time) to conduct a review of school attendance. Mr Taylor stated in his report that if students are taken away for a two week holiday every year and have an average number of days off for sickness and appointments, then by the time they leave at sixteen they will have missed a year of school.

There has since been a change in the law concerning term time leave of absence. From 1st September 2013, Head Teachers are not able to grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Where leave is granted, Head Teachers must decide the number of school days a student can be away from school.

If you wish to make an application for your son’s/daughter’s term time leave of absence, you should apply in writing to the Headteacher outlining the reasons why you feel your application for leave of absence during term time should be regarded as ‘exceptional’. 

Following the submission of your application, you will be notified as soon as possible of the school’s decision.  It should be noted that weddings and family events are not classed as exceptional circumstances.

Parents/ Carers should be aware that if you take a leave of absence or holiday during term time without making a prior application to the school, or if you make an application but your requested leave of absence is not authorised and still take the student out of school, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised. Similarly, if you keep your son/daughter away from school for longer than agreed/authorised, the excess absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Unauthorised leave of absences/holidays during term time may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice and/or prosecution. If applicable the Fixed Penalty Notice will be issued to any person with parental responsibility and/or any person responsible for the day to day care with or without parental responsibility. 

We ask parents/carers to be aware of the following when requesting term time holiday absence:

1. It is granted entirely at the school’s discretion. You do not have a right to holiday leave for your son/daughter.
   
2. Decisions will be made in the best interest of the young person’s long-term future.
   
3. The decision will be made on an individual basis, using our published guidelines. Our decision might differ depending on the circumstances.
   
4. We do not permit weekly absence for religious observance. Prayer facilities can be made available in college, if required.
   
5. The fact that a holiday has been bought by another family member or as a gift will not affect our decision.