Dear Parents and Carers
As I write to you today, with only ten school days left of the Autumn Term and of 2024, I would like to ask 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 20th December.
As you may be aware, since the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government and Department for Education (DfE) have made attendance at school one of their highest priorities to improve, given the clear correlation between high attendance and high achievement and outcomes. As a result of this, all schools are asked to focus on and track the attendance of every child, every day.
I 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 Autumn Term to date. As a result of our school community’s continued support with attendance – our whole school attendance at Workington Academy remains currently above the national average, which is a great achievement.
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 school missed, including the last day before a school holiday equates to 5 hours of valuable learning missed.
We are aware that at this time of year, that the dark mornings and cold weather do not help and that there are some winter 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 Doctor or 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 100%.
On Friday 20th December, we will also be celebrating the achievements of all students throughout the Autumn Term, with a range of certificates and prizes awarded in recognition of their successes in an array of areas throughout this term, along with a celebration afternoon featuring rewards points auctions, a big Christmas Quiz and choice of activities. These are fantastic occasions and a chance for your child and yourselves to be proud of their achievements and we would like all of our students to experience this.
Please note that your child must be in school on Friday 20th December, in order to receive their awards, unless there is an authorised reason or medical evidence provided as to why your child cannot attend school on this day.
Our usual attendance, contact and home visit procedures will continue to be applied throughout this period.
Thank you for your support.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Mark Bedford
Headteacher
