Importance of attendance
Reporting absence
Punctuality

Why is attendance important?

Every day of education and every lesson matters. The introduction to a lesson and to the school day is crucial to a child’s understanding of their own learning. Educational research has consistently confirmed that children who are persistently late or absent from school soon get behind with their learning and then do not understand key content when they return. 

Children who regularly miss school will undoubtedly have gaps in their learning which will impede their progress and ability to engage in lessons. Therefore, low attendance at school has a significant detrimental effect on overall achievement. 

Reporting absence

If absence is unavoidable then parents/carers must email in the morning before 8:25am of the first day of absence and every day thereafter. It is essential the email includes: 

  • Child’s full name 

  • Tutor Group 

  • Year Group 

  • reason for the absence.  

For Primary pupils please email: primaryadmin@arkacademy.org or call 0208 385 4370. 

For Secondary Students please email: AASecondaryAttendance@arkacademy.org 

For Sixth Form students please email: sixthform@arkacademy.org 

 

Holidays in term-time will never be authorised.

A pupil taken on leave without permission will be marked in the attendance register as taking unauthorised absence. The matter will then be referred to the Education Welfare Officer at Brent Council for discussion about further action including a term time absence penalty fine.

For exceptional circumstances: 

  • Primary student parents should phone the primary office (020 8385 4370) and ask to speak to the headteacher.  

  • Secondary student parent should write to the Principal, Mrs Smith and Secondary Attendance at (AASecondaryAttendance@arkacademy.org)  

clearly stating the reasons and dates of requested absence. The request will then be considered with a decision and response in due course. 

Punctuality

Punctuality is vital to ensure each child starts the school day in the best possible way and engages with all their learning from the start of the first lesson.  

 

School starts times are as follow: 

Primary: Gates open at 08:20 for a 08:30 start. 

Secondary: Gates open at 08:00 for 08:15 Line up. 

Sixth Form: Gates open at 08:00 for Form Time at 8:20am. 

 

Students late to school will receive a sanction that will vary depending on when they arrive. Please read our policies for more detailed information: