Blackgates

Everyone at Blackgates Primary Academy is committed to promoting good attendance and punctuality because we know that there is a direct link between good attendance and educational outcomes.  Pupils who have poor attendance are more likely to achieve less GCSEs and more likely not to be in education, employment or training when they leave school.

All members of academy staff are made aware of how their role impacts on attendance and punctuality as well as the expectations of them in ensuring consistent application of the policy, and the use of absence codes. 

In order to achieve well, children must come to school regularly and on time.  Blackgates Primary Academy strives for 100% attendance, attendance over 96% is deemed as good attendance. If a child has less than 96% attendance they miss at least 10 days a year, which can add up to more than a whole term of learning time over the course of their time in primary school. Blackgates Primary Academy will support pupils and parents/carers to achieve good attendance and punctuality, working closely with parents/ carers where absence is a cause for concern.

As well as having good attendance, arriving at school on time is also extremely important.  If children arrive late to class, they miss important learning and some children tell us it makes them feel embarrassed and it takes them longer to settle on a morning.  You know yourself, if you ever arrive late to work or to an event, how that makes you feel.  Arriving late to school can really impact on a child’s day.  Arriving 10 minutes late every day means that children miss nearly an hour of learning over the week and if this happens regularly in a half term, they could miss the equivalent to a whole day’s learning.