Attendance and Absence Reporting
At Chiltern Academy, excellent attendance is a top priority. In partnership with the Department for Education’s Working Together to improve school attendance guidance, we work closely with parents and carers to remove barriers to learning and support every pupil in reaching their full potential.
REPORTING A PUPIL ABSENCE:
If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, you must notify the Attendance Team by 8:30 AM on each day of absence.
When reporting, please provide your child’s full name, form group, detailed reason for absence, and expected return date.
You can report an absence through ONE of the following channels:
- My Child at School (MCAS) App: Fill out the simple online form and upload supporting documents or medical notes directly. (Contact the Admin team if you need access support).
- Telephone: Call 01582 310644 and select Option 1 to leave a message on the absence line.
- Email: attendance@chiltern-academy.co.uk
Please do not leave multiple messages, all the above channels are monitored and messages will be picked up.
Please Note: The Attendance Team will only contact you back if further clarification is required. Absences are evaluated on individual circumstances and are not automatically authorised.
Medical and Dental Appointments
We ask parents to make every effort to schedule medical appointments outside of school hours to minimise learning disruption.
- Routine Check-ups: Routine dental and eye check-ups must be booked outside of school hours or during school holidays.
- Emergency & Specialist Appointments: For unavoidable hospital, GP, or specialist visits during the school day, notify us in advance via the MCAS app (attaching evidence) or at attendance@chiltern-academy.co.uk with:
- Pupil's Full Name & Form Group
- Date and time of the appointment
- Time your child will be collected
- Attached evidence (appointment letter, card, or digital confirmation)
Pupils are expected to attend school before and after appointments whenever possible. Students must report to Reception to sign out when leaving and sign back in immediately upon their return.
Note: Missing morning or afternoon registration for an appointment will impact a pupil’s overall attendance percentage.
Safeguarding, Policy & Legal Duties
We hold a safeguarding duty of care to ensure all children are safe, well, and supported in their education.
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Guidance & Requirements |
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Home Visits & Welfare Checks |
Home visits ensure pupil safety and allow us to offer resources to overcome attendance barriers. If we have any concerns for a pupil’s wellbeing; the pupil is absent for several days; or we cannot establish contact, members of our pastoral team may conduct a supportive home visit. |
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Medical Evidence |
Requested for frequent, repeated, or prolonged absences. Formal medical certificates are not required; secondary evidence such as appointment cards, prescription labels, NHS111 call logs or hospital letters are accepted. |
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Term-Time Leave of Absence |
Under DfE statutory regulations, headteachers cannot grant leave during term time unless exceptional circumstances apply. Family holidays do not qualify and will be recorded as unauthorised. Requests must be submitted via our Leave of absence form at least 15 school days prior and will be considered on an individual basis. |
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Legal Framework & Penalty Notices |
Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 mandates regular school attendance. Under Section 444, failure to ensure regular attendance is a criminal offence. Accumulating 10 unauthorised sessions (5 school days) within a 10-week period may trigger a Local Authority Penalty Notice fine (issued per parent, per child) or Magistrates' Court prosecution. |
To view our school’s full Attendance policy, please click here
