Dear Parents and Carers,
Re: Importance of Full Attendance through to Friday 19th July 2024
As I write to you today, with only five school days left of the summer term and this academic year, I am asking for your support to ensure the full attendance of your child at school until the very end of this term, which finishes at 3.05pm on Friday 19th July.
The UK Government and Department for Education (DfE) continue to hold attendance at school one of their highest priorities to improve, given the clear correlation between high attendance and high achievement and outcomes – every day and lesson count, including those prior to a school holiday.
You may have seen in the news recently that attendance at school remains a national concern, in particular worrying figures surrounding;
- Attendance on Fridays and days in the run up to school holidays
- Holidays being taken in term time
- Students who continue to be persistently absent (below 90% attendance)
The DfE ask all schools to monitor the attendance of all students closely and to intervene and take action where necessary, in order to support improvement.
I am pleased to say, that our attendance over the course of this academic year has continued to be significantly higher than the national average and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and contribution towards the excellent attendance of the vast majority of our students over the academic year to date. This will in turn lead to improved outcomes and life chances for our students.
Here at Workington Academy, we take great pride in ensuring the high attendance of our students, to ensure that they have the opportunity to achieve the very best outcomes. Our well-planned and highly effective curriculum ensures that every lesson adds value and therefore missing just one lesson can have a detrimental impact on your child’s progress. Every day of absence, including that on a Friday and the last day before a school holiday equates to 5 hours of valuable learning missed.
We are aware that at this time of year, there are still some illnesses around, meaning that some students may not be feeling 100%. However, we do ask that unless they are really too ill to come to school or told specifically by a Medical Professional not to attend, that attendance at school is prioritised. Our staff here at the academy will always take care of your child in school and can make adjustments for them, if they are not feeling their best. By being in school they will still access some learning.
On Friday 19th July, we have planned an End of Year Celebration Day, that will provide a positive end to the school year for all students. Students should come to school in their Workington Academy PE kit and will take part in a range of fun and celebration activities throughout the day, spending each period with their Form Group / Year Group. These include the opportunity to take part in an old-fashioned sports day and tug o war, benchball / dodgeball tournament or Just Dance Party, Year Group Rewards Assembly and Wheel of Wonder Spin, End of Year Quiz, Summer Fun Photo Booth, Outdoor Music and Karaoke, Rounders and much much more! Luccini’s Ice Cream Vans will also be onsite throughout the day and all students who attend on Friday 19th July will also receive a free Luccini’s ice cream.
As a reminder, it is essential that if your child is going to be absent from school for any reason that you make contact with us before 8.30am, via our absence line and make contact on every day of absence. Absences for all medical and dentist appointments will remain unauthorised until evidence is provided. Our usual attendance and home visit procedures will continue to be applied.
Thank you for your support.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Bedford
Headteacher
